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Able to attain over 233km/h, this rare and now highly collectible model was both expensive and impractical.
As a consequence, only 16 examples were completed. Horse power comes from a 6 cylinder 3.4 cc producing
250hp, making the car capable of reaching 233km/h in just 5.2 sec.
did not attract customers in great numbers; only 250 examples were produced between 1956 and 1959. BMW
cars had been built before the second world at Eisenach in what subsequently became East Germany.
Production of a 2 litre 501 saloon (the 507 origin is based on it), based on the pre-war 326, did not restart at
the company's former aero-engine factory in Munich until 1951. The engine fitted to this model was a 3.2 litre
V8 engine producing 150 horse powers.
racer of 1957. Little wonder that it was capable of 275 km/h even if refinement was another matter!
Introduced at the 1959 Turin Motor Show for the following year's season, under the bonnet of the coupe was
a 4.9 litre V8 engine which was capable of 340 bhp, attached to a manual four-speed gearbox.
It was one of the truly delectable dream cars, the 300SL coupe is forever remembered for its upward-opening
gullwing doors (we must say that these doors were not made for cosmetic reasons, but in fact, to reduce the
weight of the body) to the extent that its 225 km/h top speed, fast now but truly sensational in 1954, is often
overlooked. It was an instant thoroughbred.
The 300SL cars had dominated the 1952 racing season but they were not campaigned in the following year
because corporate resources were dedicated to the successful launch and running of the W 196 Formula 1
car. The 300SL used a 3.0 litre V6 engine that produced 190 horse powers, and was attached to a manual
four speed gearbox.
