| Mercedes-Benz 300 SL | |
|---|---|
.JPG) 300 SL roadster and gullwinged coCoupé | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | 1954–1957 (coupé) 1957–1963 (Roadster) 1955 (300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé) 3,258 built[1] Coupé: 1,400 Roadster: 1,858 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupè: 2 |
| Assembly | West Germany: Stuttgart-Untertürkheim |
| Designer | Friedrich Geiger |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | |
| Body style | 2-door coupé, roadster |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | Coupé W198 I, Roadster W198 II |
| Doors | Gull-wing (Coupe) Conventional (Roadster) |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz W121 BII (190 SL) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2,996 cc (182.8 cu in) M198 straight-six engine |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 4,520 mm (178.0 in) |
| Width | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) |
| Height | 1,300 mm (51.2 in) |
| Curb weight | Coupé 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds), Roadster 1,560 kilograms (3,440 pounds), from 1961 1,660 kilograms (3,660 pounds) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W194 (racing car) |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz W113 (230SL) Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG |
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (chassis code W 198) is a two-seat sports car that was produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1954 to 1957 as a gullwinged coupé and from 1957 to 1963 as a roadster. The 300 SL traces its origins to the company's 1952 racing car, the W194, and was equipped with a mechanical direct fuel injection system that significantly increased the power output of its three-liter overhead camshaft straight-six engine.
The 300 SL was capable of reaching speeds of up to 260 km/h (162 mph), earning it a reputation as a sports car racing champion and making it the fastest production car of its time. The car's iconic gullwing doors and innovative lightweight tubular-frame construction contributed to its status as a groundbreaking and highly influential automobile.
The designation "SL" is an abbreviation of the German term super-leicht, meaning "super-light", a reference to the car's racing-bred lightweight construction. The 300 SL was introduced to the American market at the suggestion of Max Hoffman, Maximilian Hoffman, Mercedes-Benz's United States importer at the time, who recognized the potential demand for a high-performance sports car among American buyers. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL remains a highly sought-after classic car and is celebrated for its performance, design, and technological advancements.