This was our third year at Techno Classica in Essen.
For those not aware the Techno Classica is, besides Retromobile the biggest Oldtimer fair in Europe.
While the cars being offered for sale left something to be desired for (for example there was not one single very important Ferrari for sale), Techno Classica made up for it in other ways. Mercedes Benz staged one of the grandest exhibition of their racing cars ever (you almost felt that they brought half of the museum with them from Stuttgart). This will the focus on our first part of Techno Classica.
Next for lovers of Italian style, there was a superb exhibition of Zagato and his work. Zagato, was, next to Pininfarina (in our opninon) the greatest Italian coach builder during the 1950s and 1960s. Our second part, of a three part series, will focus on the Zagato collection.
Lastly there was one exceptional car which we will profile in detail in our third and final part of the Techno Classica.
We start off with perhaps the absolute highlight of Techno Classica- Mercedes Benz and their exceptional racing history.
From far away they looked like toy models put on a shelf. Until you realize that these were really cars. It was one of the best display stands that we have ever seen (see main picture). Mercedes road cars were never our taste, except for the 300SL Gullwing, but like it or not, there are very few car brands that have such a rich racing history. The best drivers in the world drove for Mercedes. Fangio who five world championship titles, and Stirling Moss (who won in 1955 the Mille Miglia). Unfortunately in 1955 the Mercedes racing team suffered a disastrous crash at Le Mans, which killed 80 people, and forced Mercedes to retire from racing. However we can think of no other manufacturer other than Ferrari, who can compete in terms of racing history with Mercedes.
Some of the racing cars of Mercedes Benz brought along from their museum look like sculptures.
The car below, if were are not mistaken, is the sister car to the W 196, the single seater race car that Fangio drove, which achieved a world record for a car at public auction, selling for $29m or £19m last year. For full details please click here.
Well what is hiding there in the background (car Nr 658)? Can you guess? You are looking at the most valuable car in the world should it ever come to auction.
Lets have a closer look. It certainly looks beautiful and powerful.
It is indeed the 300SLR Uhlenhaut. Only two were made, both reside at the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart. This is indeed the car that Fangio drove in the Mille Miglia in 1955. Stirling Moss won the Mille Miglia in 1955 also with a 300SLR and Mercedes Benz secured the world championship the same year. Powered by a 8 cylinder 3L engine, the car was had over 300hp and could go over 300km/h. The engine was made of aluminum and was extremely light. The 300SLR was in a class of its own and left its competitors behind. Alone in 1955 the 300SLR won the Big prize of Sweden, The Eiffel trophy, the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio. Sadly the 300SLR was also the reason why Mercedes withdrew from racing after the tragic accident in Le Mans where over 80 people died when a 300SLR flew into a crowd (the driver was Pierre Levegh).
Notice the Argentinian Flag- Juan Manuel Fangio was from Argentina. The Nr 658 denotes the starting time Fangio had at the Mille Miglia (6:58 in the morning)!
The car looks stunning from all angles. Without a doubt one of the most desirable and rare cars on this planet. We wonder wether $100m would be enough to secure this car were it ever offered for sale.
Next up is another very rare car. The 300SL Mercedes lightweight- made for one of the toughest endurance races ever: The Carrera Panamericana. Notice the nice details such as the leather strap to secure the bonnet.
Notice the plaid covers which were original from the time. In the background Mercedes proudly stating that Fangio won the world title 5 times. He is without a doubt the greatest race driver that ever lived.
The back of the car finally denotes that this car is indeed a 300SL (but without the bumpers- to save weight).
Lastly because it is so cool: A mercedes transporter probably from the 1950s – to transport the racing cars safely. Notice the sign: Max speed 105 mph (which is not that slow).
