In 1955, the Mercedes-Benz built two coupé versions of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car. They were specifically designed for long-distance races, to provide somewhat more comfortable conditions for the driver than in the open version. Externally, the car looked similar to the 300 SLR, but with purebred Formula 1 technology under the bonnet.
Unfortunately these super cars of their time did not find their way into any customers’ hands, but one fortunate individual was able to enjoy the attributes of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR: its designer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. On the cancellation of the sixth Carrera Panamericana race in 1955, in which the coupé was to be used for the first time, and since Daimler-Benz AG withdrew from racing at the end of that season, Uhlenhaut was allowed to drive one when travelling on business – and he made extensive use of this privilege. Accordingly, the car has become known as the “Uhlenhaut Coupé”.
Now, three German friends Armin Ciesielski, Peter Brakel and Walter Willer have decided to recreate one of the greatest car ever scrapped by Mercedes – and they decided to build it out of scrap.
In order to pay their respects to the 300 SLR, the group from Giganten aus Stahl, Giants of Steel, meticulously chose over ten-thousand pieces of metal for the sculpture.
“The Uhlenhaut is a really special Mercedes and we wanted to make a replica.” said Armin
“It took me and my friends seven months of hard work to perfect and we used more than 10,000 pieces of metal.
“The car was a very difficult model to make because of all the intricate details and we made the engine look identical to the original. It weighs nearly 1,000kg.”
It is believed that if either of the models were sold today, they would pull in bids in the tens of millions and easily become the most expensive car in history. As for the scrap metal Mercedes-Benz 300 SL sculpture, Armin is selling it for a mere £60,000.