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We highlight the images taken by “Photographia Vicente” of the MERCEDES BENZ 300 SLR W196 S (1955) car competition that was shown at the Daimler-Benz AG Funchal dealer, then located at 28 and 30 “Rua Dr. Fernão de Ornelas”.
The car shows the door number 104, with which the British Stirling Moss and Peter Collins, won the 39th edition of the “Targa Florio” race that took place on October 16, 1955, at the Piccolo delle Madonie Circuit (Sicily, Italy). In the second place (the legendary Juan Fangio and Karl Kling) also drove the same model as Daimler-Benz AG, thus interrupting the dominance of Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Maserati and Bugatti. The podium was completed with the Ferrari 857 S from Castellotti and Manzon, which took another 5 minutes and 25 seconds to cross the finish line.
The MERCEDES BENZ 300 SLR (Sport Leicht-Rennen, Sport Super Light), which also earned the iconic nickname "Silver Arrow", was based on the formula 1 model "RW 196" (from 1954), with which was sharing most of its components. Among several technical issues, the main difference lay on its bodywork (fully closed and two-seater) and the fact that it had an even bigger engine (increased from 2496cc to 2982cc), with 310 horses. 
This model marked the strong bet of Daimler-Benz AG in the 1955 World Automobile Championship (FIA World Sportscar Championship, which had its inaugural season in 1953), which it won with victories in the Mille Miglia (Moss / Jenkinson, with the n 722); Tourist trophy (Moss / Fitch No. 10) and Targa Florio (Moss / Collins, No. 104). 
That year, he was leading the 23rd edition of the 24 hours of Le Mans, but a tragedy that involved one of his cars (piloted by the unsuccessful French pilot Pierre Levegh) that killed more than 80 people and injured more than 120, led to a team's decision to send race leaders Fangio and Moss to the pits. This fateful accident, which occurred on June 11, 1955, is remembered as the biggest tragedy in motor sport, being the reason why Mercedes decided to withdraw from the World Automobile Championship and the Formula 1 Championship at the end of that year. 
This car's history is still impressive today: the W 196 S has won every race it has completed. 

Credits: Museu de Fotografia da Madeira - Atelier Vicente’s

PHOTOGRAPHIA VICENTE
17.9 x 23.9 cm | Simple negative, glass | Gelatin and silver salts
MFM-AV, Inv. VIC / 4248 | VIC / 4249
6.1 x 9.2 cm | Simple negative, glass | Gelatin and silver salts
MFM-AV, Inv. VIC / 4252

mercedes 300 slr

mercedes 300 slr

mercedes 300 slr

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