1952 Mercedes W194 Build

Some of you here wanted to see some of my projects. Here is my favorite. 1952 300SL W194 serial #1. This car represents Mercedes Benz return to racing in 1952 since the prewar silver arrows. It is also the worlds first Gullwing. Serial #1 was scrapped by the factory and was probably canibalized to service the other 10 cars they built for Le Mans and the Carerra Panamericana. I happend to find the correct engine block in a junkyard here in Phoenix and have compiled enough of the correct parts to recreate this car from scratch. I will post updates as we go. I will post some more of my Bitsa 1955 Gullwing here too.
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I have a rebody title making it a 1952 Mercedes 300. Title came from the donor sedan. And yes Mercedes knows but they are a little less than excited about it.

 

Here is the front of the frame for the W194 with the fron axle carrier ready for welding. We are almost ready to paint our 1955 Gullwing as well. The gullwing will be painted it's original color of DB218 Linden Green. It is a bright yellow green with a burgundy interior. Car was the only one delivered in that color scheme.
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Here is our front cross member finished for the 194 also attached is the original #4 car's chassis for comparison.
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They can't confiscate the green and burgundy car it's a real 1955...And those were the original colors delivered in 55. Only car ever. As for the W194; only silver and blue plaid but I dont think they can confiscate that one unless they prove some sort of copyright infringement. The car is no different then the replica 250 GTO built by an owner of a genuine one to replace his original for rougher usage several years ago. Was his confiscated?

 

It is absoultly the correct type. A M188 block which is from a 300S. This is an extremly rare block only found in about 760 two door coupes and cabriolets..This is the basis high compression block that was used for development of the first car for Mercedes return to racing. Also included in my project are the correctly modified camshaft, oil pump and rocker arms, cylinder head, oil filter, oil pan, and of course the rest of the car which is constructed from the same genuine parts and materials used in March of 1952 to create the presentation car seen in all the press that year.

 

I forgot to address the differences of a gullwing block. Well; other than not being fuel injected; not much. Other than a casting difference to make an injector pump capable of being mounted on the side and driven by the timing gears; the pistons and compression are the same. Obviously the manifold(s) and cylinder head are different. I did use a NOS Gullwing cylinder head (But expensive modifications were made) to create a head capable cooling itself with the carburated manifolds and to appear to be a correct head. It was really a matter of reverse engineering because the original patterns and castings for the production car came from the W194 and that made it easy. A standard gullwing head had a coolant fitting running along the top towards the radiator and would preclude use of carburators. I also added the two coolant discharge ports on the drivers side as per the original M194 engine. Timing, camshaft, compression and distributor advance curves are all the same as 300S from 1952. Should put out approx 170HP for a very light car for the era.

 

Thanks! Here is the engine in to check our clearences and to set the motor and transmission mounts so the carburators and transmission will be level and the block at 50 degrees.
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Dashboard ready to do layout, weld on the binnacles and blisters for the clock and gauges. We have the correct Messerschmitt Jungens clock, removeable steering wheel, switches and lights.
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More frame pics almost ready to take it off and turn it over and well bottom sides.
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more from the open house
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Yours truly trying out the new seat..
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Frame for W194 is off the jig ready for welding on minor tabs and brackets, spare tire mounts etc.
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