Mercedes - Mercedes 300SL
The 300SL Mercedes coupe made its debut at the New York show in early 1954. A lightweight car (SL is for Sport Light - Sport Leicht ) mainly aimed at the USA market. Its 3 litre engine was powerful too, giving it a top speed of over 160 mph, although most cars had a higher gear ration fitted for better acceleration rather than top speed. with a Mercedes designed low pivot swing axle at the rear. The earlier cars had the distinctive gull wings, which were built to 1957 . As sales started to plateau, the 300SL Roadster was introduced which was a convertible (a hard top was also introduced shortly afterward) with the sills lowered so as to be able to have more conventional doors, with the engine now fuel injected. The rear suspension swing axle design was also altered to a low pivot to improve the handling, the earlier Gullwing cars being known to be a bit "tricky" to drive on when pressing on.
Mercedes 300SL tyre size was originally cross ply 6.70x15 which is radial equivalent Blockley 185VR15 , although many customers like to fit the wider 205/70VR15 size. Blockley produce both these tyre sizes, steel belted and high speed capable, with our 205/70R15 size now being W (168mph) speed rated.
