There are cars that are true whims or a privilege for those who have them. That is why when it comes to acquiring some of the vehicles that have made history in the world of motorsports, many collectors spare no expense. Even if the car in question is just a children’s toy.
This is the case of the highly successful replica of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing car, which was recently auctioned in the United Arab Emirates for around 16,000 euros, a price similar to what a real utility vehicle can cost.
It is a recently restored and improved toy version of the famous sports model with which the German firm returned to the world of automobile competitions after the Second World War. The replica does not have the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine of the spectacular original racing car. It comes with a 52 cc two-stroke engine, although it must be taken into account that the vehicle cannot be driven on public roads.
The 300 SLR saw the light of day with the special W196 chassis, which gave driver Juan Manuel Fangio the victory in the 1954 Formula 1 World Championship. The chassis was modified to make room for an enlarged inline eight-cylinder engine. from 2.5 to 3.0 liters, capable of generating 296 HP and placed as far back as possible for better weight distribution.
The car’s body was made of a light magnesium alloy. The vehicle incorporated a powerful air brake to help slow down and featured independent suspension. Because they were too large to fit inside the 16-inch wheels, the drum brakes ended up mounted inboard, both front and rear.
The 300 SLR won, among other competitions, the Mille Miglia in Italy, with Stirling Moss at the wheel; the Tourist Trophy in Dundrod, Ireland; the Targa Florio, in Sicily; the Eifelrennen, in Germany; and the Swedish Grand Prix. All of these victories made Mercedes-Benz the 1955 World Sports Car Champion.
The 300 SLR remains the last great classic racing car with the three-pointed star logo. The toy vehicle based on this incredible model was built in 2020. The person who sold it restored it to make it look more real. The hood and trunk lid open and close, the headlights work. The model comes with the iconic number 722 that the Mille Miglia winner received in 1955, which indicated the time the car started: 7:22 a.m.
Below you can see the video of the Mercedes 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé in full action, the most expensive car in history, which was auctioned last year for no less than 135 million euros.
