A Thousand Miles in 10 Hours and 7 minutes.... [PIC]

   Sir Sterling Moss and Denis Jenkinson won the grueling 1955 Mille Miglia averaging 99 mph through mountains and city streets in this two seat Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR variant. Its number of "722" was actually its starting time of 7:22 AM. They finished 32 minutes ahead of the 2nd place car. The car was modified from the single seat F1 car and was powered by a 298 to 310 HP straight 8. Of the 4 300 SLRs entered their car was one of the two seaters with Juan Fangio, Karl Kling driving solo. It featured two removable aerodynamic fairings for the occupants. How grueling was that race? The last place entry was a Fiat 1100, finishing 279th, finished in 22 hours and 39 minutes. The two winning drivers reprised their feat driving #722 at Goodwood Festival in 1995 for a hill climb event with Jenkinson in poor health and he died 18 months later.

    I really love this Paul's Model Art model. When released way back when at $195, it was so advanced in tech from what the Mints were doing at the time, it was well worth the extra dough. Their series of the SLRs still hold up to today's standards. The engine detail is just phenomenal, the bezeled gauges are legible and the well upholstered tartan seat covers are remarkably well done.