Mercedes-Benz returns to Carrera Panamericana Mexico
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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL returning to Mexico (copyright image)
Resounding end to the 1952 season: The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL finished the
last race of the 1952 season with a superb first and second place - the Carrera Panamericana proved triumphant for the
300 SL, finishing winner and runner-up after 3,100 kilometres of racing. Pictured here is Karl Kling´s winning
car.
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Mercedes-Benz
24th March, 2010
- The victorious Mercedes-Benz 300 SL of 1952 leaves the Mercedes-Benz Museum for Mexico
- Joining the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG along a stretch of the original race route
The original winning car from the 3rd Carrera Panamericana Mexico in November 1952 is to return to
the scene of its great triumph. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing sport car (W 194) will temporarily be
removed from the “Races and Records” display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (Germany), in
order to join the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and set off once again along a part of the original route
through Central America.
The 3rd Carrera Panamericana was one of the top international races of the 1952 season. The double
victory achieved by Mercedes-Benz there ranks as one of the brand’s most spectacular successes. Karl
Kling and co-driver Hans Klenk won the race, a long-distance event covering 3,111 kilometres, against
strong international competition at an average speed of 165.011 km/h. Second to cross the finishing
line, also driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, were Hermann Lang and co-driver Erwin Grupp.
Kling’s collision with a vulture at 250 km/h, which left his car with a smashed windscreen and Hans
Klenk with head injuries, went into the annals of racing history. In addition to replacing the screen,
the mechanics also immediately fitted eight thin vertical metal bars to protect vehicle and driver in
the event of a similar collision – still the vehicle’s most distinguishing feature.
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