Essen 2009: 1,050-hp 1956 Mercedes Gullwing drag vehicle
Filed under: Motorsports, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty
This ungainly little creature had an area all to itself at this year’s Essen Motor Show. Built over four years by Swiss drag racer Stefan Winter – who is a roofer by trade – the most important thing to say is this: Winter did not mangle a genuine 1956 Mercedes 300 SL to create this beast, and we have the ability to thank all the gods that be for that. He copied the body in fiberglass and put it over a tube chassis, hiding a small block Chevy in front that’s been bored out to 422 cubic inches.
With altered pistons, crankshaft, cylinder heads, and a bit more black-art-ness, the gullwinged monster puts 1,050 horsepower to the ground through a 3-speed transmission and rear tires 15 inches across. The 1/4-mile rolls off in 8.1 seconds at 166 mph. If nothing else, at that speed he shouldn’t have any problem with keeping the car’s interior cool, a problem the originals were known for…
[Source: Das Auto Blog (translated) via Autoblog.nl]
Essen 2009: 1,050-hp 1956 Mercedes Gullwing drag car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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