Exhibition Mercedes-Benz Racing Cars of the 1950s

Following the successful exhibition 'Silver Arrows 1934 - 1939' in 2012, the Louwman Museum, in close cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Classic in Stuttgart (D), is presenting during the summer months (7 July to 2 September) a retrospective exhibition of the legendary Mercedes-Benz racing cars from the 1950s. The seven unique vehicles represent one of the most heroic periods in the history of motor racing.

All the vehicles deserve a place in motorsport history, but for the Netherlands the W 196 R with starting number 8 is one with a golden edge.

In 1955, reigning F1 world champion Juan Manuel Fangio won the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in this car, with a lead of just 0.3 seconds over Stirling Moss, who a month earlier had taken the now legendary victory in the gruelling Mille Miglia with the 300 SLR. Film footage of these races accompanies the vehicles on display.

Possibly the most valuable car in the world, the 300 SLR 'Uhlenhaut Coupe', can be seen in the Netherlands for the first time. The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut (W 196 S) never took part in an official race, but is regarded as the very first super sports car of its time; a Grand Prix racer for 2 people, fitted with a roof and gullwing doors, based on the highly successful W 196 R Formula 1 car. The car was used as a company car by its designer, engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, and had a top speed of almost 300 km/h: more than sensational in those years.

At least as remarkable is the Blue Wonder, the transporter that was built in 1955 specifically for carrying racing cars, or for providing rapid service during long distance races; based on both the 300 S and the 300 SL, this ultimate service vehicle, with a top speed of 170 km/h, is the fastest racing car transporter ever.

Unique vehicles

The exhibition 'Silver Arrows, Mercedes-Benz Racing cars of the 50s' includes Formula 1 cars and sports cars that, in addition to Grand Prix races, also won long-distance road races such as the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Le Mans. The bridge between the racing cars and the production models is formed by two 300 SL gullwing models: the W 194 racing car from 1952 and its derivative production model, the W 198.

Each one of them vehicles with an extensive history in international motorsport, with which drivers like Juan Manual Fangio, Stirling Moss, Karl Kling and Hans Hermann have won many races.

The automobiles in this temporary exhibition are without exception absolute masterpieces from the permanent collection of Mercedes-Benz Classic in Stuttgart (D).

The museum s permanent collection is also accessible during the exhibition. The collection shows the history of the automobile in all its forms and from every era. Over 250 cars from more than 100 manufacturers provide an overview of the different body styles and technological innovations, particularly from the last century. This history is further illustrated by the extensive art collection, consisting among other things of posters, sculptures, trophies and paintings.