1956 Mercedes-Benz Thoroughbred 300SLR replica, 1 of around a dozen built by Thoroughbred Coach Builders. Titled as a 1956 SLR. Red with tan interior. Has a custom-made square tube chassis with a fiberglass body which features the same distinct individual headrests on the rear deck as the original. The power comes from a Ford 302 V-8 engine that is paired with a C4 automatic transmission with a B&M shifter and is connected to a nine-inch rear end. The engine has an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor and Ford Cobra valve covers. Other features include rear coil-over suspension, functioning headlights and indicators, power disc brakes, tachometer, VDO speedometer, Pioneer AM/FM radio with CD player, hood “speed clips,” remote door opener, wire wheels, Goodyear radial tires and chromed Mercedes-Benz badging and emblems. This is a car that is easy to enjoy; enthusiasts who relish the looks of a racecar will also be pleased with the drivability, details and craftsmanship that set this replica apart.

The Mercedes-Benz 300SLR racecars are legendary for winning the World Sportscar Championship (now known as the World Endurance Championship) in the 1955 season by winning three of the four races they entered during the six-race season. The most acclaimed of these victories is the 1955 Mille Miglia with driver Stirling Moss and his navigator, the highly respected motoring journalist, Denis Jenkinson. Jenkinson's article, “With Moss in the Mille Miglia” is generally acknowledged as a classic of motor racing journalism. His course notes (pacenotes) is now commonplace in rallying. The Mille Miglia, meaning “Thousand Miles,” was an open-road endurance race which took place in Italy 24 times from 1927 to 1957. It encompassed one lap of 992.332 miles on a course made entirely of public roads. The geographic area was mainly around the outer part of the country based on a round trip between Brescia and Rome with the start/finish in Brescia. For the 1955 edition of the Mille Miglia, there were 661 cars entered in 12 different performance classes. Daimler AG sent four 300SLR’s to compete in the top class. England’s Stirling Moss, and the German Hans Hermann were two of the drivers employed to take on this immense contest. Stirling Moss took the victory at a speed of just under a 100-mph average in a time of 10:07:48. Hermann crashed out while in second place. Although the race would be run in this open format through 1957, the obvious dangers and consequences would see its end.

Since Mercedes-Benz announced their retirement from motorsports at the end of the 1955 season, the original cars have been in the care of Mercedes-Benz. They are usually displayed in their Stuttgart facility. At the 2015 Mille Miglia retrospective, Mercedes-Benz celebrated the 60th anniversary of its famed overall win by sending three of the original cars. The appearance of the mighty 300SLR is always the highlight of this touted event, so well it is remembered. As one would rightly expect, even if one of these original cars were to become available, those able to pursue it would be few.

This Mercedes Benz 300SLR replica built by Thoroughbred Coach Builders in Florida is an extremely handsome representation of the original renowned machine. It is reported that approximately 12 of these replicas were built before Mercedes-Benz requested they stop building this model. Return to Bob's Classics, Inc. or What's In Stock. Give us a call at 727-581-9406