MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
9852 photos
33 videos
is entering the Mille Miglia again this year with several factory-entered classic cars with celebrity drivers including David Coulthard and Jochen Mass. The race is now a classic rally open to models that raced in competition between 1927 and 1957. The rally runs from Brescia on May 15 and returns there on May 18 after covering 1,000 miles (1,600km). There are 400 cars entered into this year’s event.

This year Mercedes is entering a 1928 W06 SSK, a 1952 W194 300SL, a 1954 W198 300SL, a 1954 W180 220a and a 1955 W196S 300SLR.

The SSKMercedes-Benz SSK 27/170/...Germany, 1928 > 19336 photos
brought Mercedes some early success with Rudolf Caracciola behind the wheel. He won three races in 1928 and won the 1930 and 1931 European Hill Climb Championship. The later SSKLMercedes-Benz SSKL - 720 ...Germany, 1929 > 19342 photos
won the 1931 Mille Miglia.

The 1952 300SLMercedes-Benz 300 SL Comp...Germany, 1952 > 19523 photos
received an aluminum-magnesium body over an aluminum space frame. It was the first Mercedes to get the gullwing doors that became a hallmark of the design. Power came from a 168hp 3.0-liter inline-six engine. It made its racing debut at the Mille Miglia in 1952 and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans later that year.

The 1954 300SLMercedes-Benz 300 SL Gull...Germany, 1954 > 195731 photos
was the first street version of the gullwing Mercedes. It was the first production car to offer fuel injection. Its engine produced 212hp, an upgrade over the carbureted racing version. It won its class in the 1955 Mille Miglia and took fifth place overall. Karl Wendlinger and Jochen Mass will drive the car in the rally this year. Bernd Mayländer will drive a second 1954 300SL.

The 220aMercedes-Benz 220 AGermany, 1954 > 19563 photos
was entered into the 1956 Mille Miglia in the touring vehicles class, which allowed modifications to the chassis and engine. It won its class with a special engine with two carburetors, which boosted power to 114hp. It also received a sport suspension and floor-mounted shifter.

The 1955 300SLRMercedes-Benz 300 SLR Roa...Germany, 1955 > present6 photos
1 video
was basically a W196 Formula 1 carMercedes-Benz W196 Motort...Germany, 1954 > 195515 photos
with a special body and larger engine, and it won the World Sportscar Championship that year. Power came from a 3.0-liter inline eight with 297hp. It won the Mille Miglia in 1955 with Stirling Moss behind the wheel. Juan Manuel Fangio drove a 300SLR alone and took second place. David Coulthard will drive the car this year.

Mercedes will be posting videos online at Mercedes Benz Classic each evening after the day’s stages showing the highlights of the Mille Miglia.