The FIRST Mercedes-Benz GULLWING / Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

Only ten examples of the Mercedes W194 aka 300 SL were built and its successor was the probably better known Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. This development also led to the legendary Mercedes 300 SL W198 Gullwing as a road car in 1954. Built in 1952, chassis number 7 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL visited this year's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2023 at the idyllic Lake Como (Italy) and made it possible to experience this car live and in operation, as shown in this video - sound, engine, design and interior, as well as in motion. The Mercedes-Benz W194, also known as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, is an endurance racing car produced by Mercedes-Benz for the 1952 sports car racing season, the first after World War II. Powered by the M194 3-liter six-cylinder in-line engine, the Mercedes 300 SL Coupe was victorious in many races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut, Daimler-Benz's chief engineer, the metal skeleton saved weight while providing stability. Since his approach made traditional doors impossible, the model's distinctive gullwing door arrangement was born. A legend was born and and the Mercedes W194 is now considered by many to be the most important post-war Benz! #mercedes #mercedesbenz #mercedesclassic

Added 29 May 2026