Author Topic: A Video About Some Legends  (Read 1333 times)

Pawel66

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Poland, Mazowieckie, Konstancin-Jeziorna
  • Posts: 5154
A Video About Some Legends
« on: September 21, 2019, 18:35:54 »
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

wayne R

  • Guest
Re: A Video About Some Legends
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2019, 05:07:18 »
Pawel, yes probably the greatest race in history, and i have read the reports about
Stirlings greatest race many times over the years.
The real facts i dont think most drivers really dont  understand how tuff this, race was
over 992 miles and stirling averaged 98.5 mph. on narrow, windy, town and country roads.
Another notable fact Denis Jenkinson his navigator as Stirling said, used a toilet roll ,
was true , he designed it on a wooden like rolling pin , and as they aproached a corner,
used his hands to guide Stirling around corners at in credable speeds.
Derived from the already fantastic W194 lemans style the  300SLR was increased to  2981cc,
giving 310 BHp, Tube Space frame in Aluminuim, only weighing 880kg,and the straight eight
engine canted to the right 33degres, lower gravity and  reduce  crank flexing,and  with
direct fuel injection, taken  from  the V12 Messerschmitt BF 109E fighter world war 11.
Thanks Pawel for showing this video.
« Last Edit: September 22, 2019, 05:46:47 by wayne R »

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6653
Re: A Video About Some Legends
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2019, 14:30:15 »
Moss won the 1955 in the "Sport oltre 2000" class.
American John Cooper Fitch won the production class the same year, the "Gran Turismo oltre 1300" class.

Many, many years later, John Cooper Fitch went to Bonneville with my friend Bob Sirna's 300SL, as Bob was trying to win something with his car. He had Fitch drive it and this event was filmed and a mini documentary prepared called "A Gullwing at Twilight"

http://www.szwedo.com/main/gullwing-product.html

In one of his many interviews at the time, Fitch was asked to compare his ride then, with his race in 1955. He laughed and said something to the effect of Bonneville was a straight line under good conditions; in 1955 it was on all kinds of roads at night and in the rain...

John Cooper Fitch was perhaps one of the most interesting racers ever to grace the sport. A prodigious inventor, too.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid