Product Information:

CMC M-118 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, #701, Mille Miglia 1955, Karl Kling

Limited Edition 0522 of 2000

Preowned in Excellent Condition

In 1955 Mercedes-Benz introduced its 300 SLR for the first time at the Mille Miglia. Among its strongest competitors were Ferrari, Maserati, and Aston Martin. 

At 7:01 on the morning of May 1, 1955, the 300 SLR with starting number 701 (starting number = starting time) left the launch pad in Brescia, with Karl Kling behind its wheel to attempt the 22nd championship of the 1,600 km-long Mille Miglia.

After the turning point in Rome, bad luck struck: Karl Kling had to swerve sharply to avoid a spectator who was crossing the road carelessly. His SLR crashed into the roadside ditch, and it was badly damaged. Miraculously Kling was uninjured, but there was no way for him to continue the race. The outcome of this race became world-famous and went down in racing history. Subsequently, Stirling Moss turned out to be the triumphant winner.