On the road with the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing: through the Alps with 2 million francs

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Uwe Karrer, a workshop worker at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center Fellbach (D), asks me: “Is everything okay?” he asks. For the first time in my life, I am sitting in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and also in the driver’s seat. As a classic fan who was truly stunned by the view of the beautiful interior, I stuck my thumb out towards Karrer through the open driver’s door. “Then have a nice trip!”

Just drive

I look around in disbelief: what, have a safe trip? I would like to reiterate: I am currently in the Diavolezza car park, 2000 meters above sea level, in the middle of the Bernina Pass, in an original 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. M. Karrer said a few minutes ago that the classic car has some pitfalls when driving. A novice classic car driver in a two million franc car in the middle of the Alps – could this work?

I remember Karrer’s words: “To start, turn the key and accelerate at the same time. After that you can hit the road.” That’s said and done. As a practical matter, I first shift through the four gears to get an idea of ​​the gears. I start the engine and release the handbrake, located on the left under the high door sill. Slowly and by feel, I release the clutch and at the same time work my way with the accelerator pedal. I feel it lower. And lo, the gull wing rolls!

full of pleasure

The showdown at the gear lever: Can I really manage to shift into the next gear without stalling the engine of the million-dollar jewel? I decisively grab the delicate gear lever, press the clutch pedal and pull the lever towards me into second gear. The exercise also works without the 300 SL choke. Before things get serious, classic car expert Uwe Karrer asks: “Are you ready for the crossover?” he asks.

“Certainly!” I reply, a little more relaxed now. Luckily, as a regular passing rider, I’m no stranger to Bernina’s corners. One of the most beautiful passes of the Swiss Alps, with its impressive panorama, connects the Engadine in the north with the Italian Valtellina in the south. But now there is nostalgia instead of geography; Let’s go!

sit like a sofa

Nervous but determined, I follow the Mercedes support car ahead towards the pass. The gauges show a slow speed of 60 km/h; with speedometer deviation this ratio can be significantly less. First impression: The 300 SL is extremely comfortable to drive; The seats, in particular, give the feeling of a sofa you’ll want to sit on for hours. The steering is very spongy compared to modern cars; but with such a piece of jewelry playing a minor role.

Even though I wish the classic car had air conditioning on this warm autumn day, I’m enjoying every moment I spend in the gullwing. A small, triangular slanted window in the side window provides some comfort by letting some fresh air into the interior, at least at high speeds. I also need to have a fresh mind; After all, I don’t want to be the one who shoves a two million franc classic car into the guardrail.

Not a penny pincher

The three-litre six-cylinder engine, positioned longitudinally under the well-shaped bonnet, now holds its own completely and fills the interior with a pleasant roar. We can only imagine the consumption. Officially it is 16 l/100 km; It will probably be much more by the time of the transition. But we will definitely not fall behind the 300 SL; The tank of the classic has a capacity of 130 liters (!).

The engine was not previously known as an economical model, but it featured fuel injection, a real innovation at the time. 215 hp (158 kW) and 275 Nm don’t seem very exciting today; especially back when the gullwing was a real racing car. And with a curb weight of only around 1200 kilos, the Benz can easily walk up the mountain. The elevation of the pass is 2328 m above sea level. We quickly reach M.; We take a short break before returning to Samedan airport.

quick finale

When we arrive in the valley, we set off for an acceleration test with the 300 SL; The track is cordoned off especially for us today. “Have fun,” Karrer calls to me, and I press the accelerator. But acceleration cannot be compared with a modern racing car. According to the data sheet, the gullwing model needs a slow ten-second time to reach 100 km/h; Even some delivery vans can do this today. But what the classic car offers is pure emotion: everything rattles, squeaks and rumbles. Throttle response at full throttle is great and you can even feel the throttle open wide and the revs steadily increasing. The theoretically possible maximum speed of 260 km/h made the gullwing the fastest sports car in the world at one time.

For me, after a 1000 meter run, the speedometer shows “only” 180 km/h. Because of the drum brakes, the jewel slows down as you accelerate – quite slowly. Luckily, the escape area is generously sized, with enough room to stop the classic car without damage.

As soon as I got out of the car, I felt a sense of melancholy: How nice it would be to be able to call a Mercedes 300 SL my own. For me, the classic car will always remain a dream. Today, the cost of a gullwing model varies between at least 1.5 and 2.2 million Swiss francs, depending on the situation. But in the end I can console myself: I will remember the ride in this absolute classic for a long time.

Source: Blick