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Topic starter
16/11/2025 12:04 pm
The Mercedes-Benz 300 W196R F1 was Mercedes-Benz race car from 1954 to 1955 when Mercedes withdrew from racing after the catastrophic crash at Le Mans that year. Their 3.0 liter I-8 peaked at 290 HP. In 1955,4 of the 14 chassis built was fitted with this beautiful streamlined body allowing a speed of 186 mph on the straights. These streamliners were used sparingly because the drivers could not see their front wheels. Juan Fangio drove this #18 car to a win at the French Grand Prix. Up until 2025 the #16 car resided at the Indy 500 until it was bought at auction by a private collector for $53 mil making it the most expensive race car ever sold. The most expensive Mercedes? That was Rudolf Uhlenhaut's one of a kind gullwing coupe which sold for an astronomical $142 mil. This old Franklin Mint model was well done for its day and held its own with Paul's Model Art which also produced 300Sl and SLRs back then.
16/11/2025 12:36 pm
Beautiful! Brilliant photography Rich. I have the CMC number 16 Stirling Moss version in my collection.
Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
16/11/2025 2:24 pm
16/11/2025 2:44 pm
The FM version, as you say, 'for its day', really was a terrific model. The biggest visual difference to the CMC / Paul's Model Art versions are the wire wheels. LOVE these Benz's!
Geoff Jowett and Rich Sufficool reacted
16/11/2025 4:14 pm
I wish that I had that transporter in 1/18. CMC did a run in 1/43 that I managed to acquire and I have two more recent issues in 1/64.
Rich Sufficool and Tony Perrone reacted
Topic starter
16/11/2025 5:18 pm
@david-green I wish I could have waited for the re-issue of that transporter. It has a few upgrades like the hood has a cast medallion rather than a tampo.
David Green reacted