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In addition to ten Roadsters, two 8-cyl 300SLR Coupes were built in 1955, named after Daimler-Benz Chief Engineer, R. Uhlenhaut. Their design evoked the production Gullwing: "it was as if the body of a 300SL coupe had been warmed and gently stretched and smoothed in one's hands, with all the hard edges blended away", as Dennis Adler observes in its book "Mercedes-Benz 300SL". Planned for use at Le Mans, and at the cancelled Carrera Panamericana, the two coupes never raced, becoming the personal ride of Uhlenhaut, a respected diver, as fast as J.M. Fangio!
The model is an ideal complement to the other PMA 300SLR's and an intriguing match for Franklin's Gullwing. The Silver paint is flawless, with a perfectly scaled metallic grain, even if not waxed to the highest gloss: the model has that 'bare' look of a prototype race car without numbers! The line is correctly captured and the details abound: a fine mesh is used for the air scoop on the bonnet, photoetchings for the lettering and MB star on the trunk. The front grille and other details like the external rearview mirror are rendered with high-quality chromed plastic. Final touch: the stunning photoetched wire wheels! The engine is fully plumbed and wired; the red interior is embellished by tartan seats in cloth, a carpeted rear, readable bezels and the operating four-spoke steering wheel. A first class reproduction of a racer, which never bit the track. Now discontinued, the issue price was $195.
(01/26/1999)
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