07-30-2012, 03:02 AM
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Supporting Admin
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Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 8,966
 Rozenburg
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Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 60th anniversary and the Audi R8 LMS that keeps on winning ...
This year, Mercedes-Benz celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 300 SL. The history of arguably the manufacturer's most iconic model started back in 1952 with the 300 SL Compeition Coupe. Loosely based on a production drivetrain, the car featured a bespoke spaceframe chassis and aluminium body. Because of the height of the chassis, conventional doors could not be fitted and the car instead featured the now legendary 'gull-wing' doors. Despite its production roots, the 300 SL proved very successful on the track, taking victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana. Especially for the anniversary celebrations, Mercedes-Benz Classic have restored the oldest existing 300 SL. The second prototype built, it is unusual because it has the original door configuration, which ended at the waistline. Playing our part in the 300 SL's anniversary, we have gone through our archive to compile a 42-shot gallery of the original 'W194'. Four different chassis are pictured, including the recently restored prototype and the Le Mans winner. The cars are pictured at some of the world's most prominent events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, Retromobile and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.
Fellow German manufacturer Audi is the current dominant force in endurance racing. Yesterday another victory was added to the impressive tally when an R8 LMS Ultra crossed the line first during the Spa 24 Hours. That means that Audis have now won the Sebring 12 Hours, 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nurburgring 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours in the span of one season. To mark that occasion, we have taken a closer look at the new-for-2012 R8 LMS, which boasts a revised aero package and a more powerful engine. Our 24-shot gallery shows four different examples in action during the FIA GT1 World Championship season opener at Nogaro. Fittingly the R8 LMS Ultra won both the qualifying and championship races on what was its World Championship debut.
Enjoy the links:
2012 Audi R8 LMS Ultra - Images, Specifications and Information
1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Competition Coupe - Images, Specifications and Information
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(Ted Joans)
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