Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
300 SL Roadster next to its coupe version
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1954–1957 (Coupe) 1957–1963 (Roadster) 1955 (300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé) 3,258 built[1] Coupe: 1,400 Roadster: 1,858 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupè: 2
Assembly	West Germany: Stuttgart-Untertürkheim
Designer	Friedrich Geiger
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car Grand tourer
Body style	2-door coupe, roadster
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Coupe 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	Coupe 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 263 km/h (163 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, 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.