Mercedes 300SL Had an Unusual Mix Of Advanced & Aged Technology

Area body development, and dry sump lubrication had been superior tech for the 300SL Gullwing, however it had previous tech too.

Iain Tyrrell is a wealth of data in relation to traditional vehicles. This attributes to the success of his store’s YouTube channel, Tyrrell’s Basic Workshop. Just lately they’d a 300SL Gullwing in for reconditioning, and it was fairly a particular model. And as Tyrrell went across the automobile describing the automobile’s construct philosophy, he uncovered that Mercedes was really behind the curve in some regards.

Many people, Tyrrell included, may regard the 300SL as one of many world’s first supercars. And whereas it had an area body chassis and dry sump lubrication, some post-war circumstances led to fascinating features. “It’s fairly extraordinary that Mercedes would use a drum-brake setup when British sports activities vehicles had been utilizing them from the early 1950’s,” Tyrrell notes.

However that’s not all. When it got here to the gas system, it was superior, being direct injection. However the elements that made up the system had been dated. Tyrell states, “they resorted to leather-based diaphragms as a result of that was the supplies they’d on the time.”

The rationale why we at MBWorld like to soak on this info is since you by no means know when data like this can be misplaced. Now when taking a look at a 300SL, its historic significance is solidified by originality, and now you understand that leather-based diaphragms are required for any restoration. However equally so, Tyrrell mentions one of many greatest promoting factors of the Gulling; Rudge wheels.

Heart spline wheels had been utilized by racing vehicles for quite a lot of years, with the “knock off” splined hub being fashionable for its fast and straightforward tire adjustments. Rudge wheels had been manufacturing unit fitted to solely 130 or so 300SL vehicles, though many have been transformed. Apparently, Tyrrell says, “they’re heavier than the manufacturing unit metal wheels, with extra unsprung weight.” In flip, that lowers efficiency. However that’s off-set by the present desirability. A Rudge wheel geared up 300SL may get upwards of $150,000 increased asking value when in comparison with a normal wheel Gullwing.

So the subsequent time one exhibits up at your native vehicles and low occasion, you’re armed with data to know whether or not it’s “simply one other” 300SL.

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