Mercedes-Benz Pontonobilia
SL / Competition

This was a new model by Schuco (Germany) for 2002. Corresponding to the former "Remote Control Car 2095" this popular car re-appeared in the Schuco range. Partly produced from original tools, the cabriolet features a strong spring drive, an automatic stop lever and a remote control device. This is a large (25 cm long) clockwork driven toy that runs only when the car is on the ground. It has a steering control cable, and the set comes with posts to maneuver the car around. Completely new toy in box with key. Comes in a nice lithograph presentation box.

Schuco "Remote Control Car 2095." Tinplate 1:18 scale replica of the Type 190SL roadster-cabriolet.  Features a wind up clockwork motor and "remote control" steering (via cable).  The kit also includes yellow and red pylons so navigational skills can be tested on the "KFG" (Kitchen Floor Gymkhana).

190SL / Schuco #5503 "Elektro-Phänomenal" remote control / tinplate

Schuco (Germany) #5503 tinplate model of Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL roadster

This is a battery powered tin toy from the Schuco factory in Western Germany. The Schuco #5503 model was produced between 1955 and 1969. The gearshift has a forward, neutral and a reverse position.

Battery powered tinplate Type 190SL coupé / Manufacturer unknown

Tootsietoy (Chicago, Illinois) Mercedes-Benz Type 190SL

Rough paintwork, but otherwise intact

Photos Courtesy: Jeff Miller / December 26, 2009

The Maisto model is die cast metal with plastic trim elements. Very detailed and realistic as these photos illustrate.

Owner of both cars: Farouk El-Khalil / Beirut, Lebanon

A rare 1:43 scale tinplate, wind-up model of the famous 1952 Mercedes-Benz Type W194 300SL pre-production prototype. The toy was produced in Germany by "Dux" (Auto-Dux series).

Dux was the toy label name for the German firm, Markes & Co. The company was founded in 1904 by Karl Markes in Lüdenscheid. From the 1930s, Dux production evolved into tin model car kits. Production changed over to plastic in the 1960s. Toy production ceased altogether in 1981. At the 1953 Nuremberg Toy Fair, Markes & Co. of Lüdenscheid introduced the first Dux 300SL miniature. It was made entirely of tin, and silver colored like the prototype. With a length of 12 cm, it was not exactly enormous, but featured a number of smart details. The model was constructed so that the young owner could remove the body from the chassis by using the tools included (wrench and screw driver). This was usually not possible with classic tin toys due to the typical slot and tab construction. In addition, it was possible to remove the series standard clockwork motor and exchange it for one (available as an accessory) with flywheel drive. So, not only a very attractive and thoughtfully designed model, but also one of high educational value. This Dux classic was in their program from 1953 until 1958.

References

1. Mercedes Sportscar Scale Models / Matthias Braun / ISBN: 3-89365-703-7

Note the white tires on this example

These models are quite rare today, especially in above-average condition. Prices for scratched examples (with missing wheels, etc.) can range from $30-$75 (c. 2006) depending on overall condition.

Doors of this type (shown on the Dux model) were used at the Le Mans race on June 14, 15 1952. Previously, (for the Mille Miglia race in May 1952) the doors only extended to the base of the windows. The driver's entry point was more like a "hatch" than a door. The organizers of Le Mans had more stringent regulations, which forced the designers make the door openings descend lower into the body of the car. The grille shape was derived from the 1939 Grand Prix cars. The 1952 300SL (W194) would have used three downdraft Solex carburetors, while the production models, the 300SL coupé (W198 I) and later, the 300SL roadster (W198 II) both used Bosch mechanical fuel injection.

1952 Mercedes-Benz Type W194 300SL by Dux. Note the smooth undercarriage. On another example (see below) the name DUX is clearly visible.

Note the name "DUX", and the altogether different base plate configuration on this example. Finding both base plate variations will keep the average collector out of trouble for a while.

For Reference: The full scale Type W194 300SL ("21") at Le Mans June 14, 15 1952 (Sarthe, France). Only the top lines of the car were retained when the W194 SL was modified for production. This is clearly the car the Dux (Auto-Dux) tinplate model represents, as verified by the number "21" on the hood and doors. Number 21 took first place in the race, and driving was shared between Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess. The race was 2,320 miles (277 laps). Average speed 96.6 km/h (60 mph).

Type W194 300SL racers at the Nürburgring, competing in the Eifel race on August 2, 1952. The lightest possible autos were necessary, so the tops of the 300SLs were cut off. Note number 21 in the center.

Based on the open-wheeled version of the 1954-55 Mercedes-Benz Type W196 R Grand Prix racer. The driver is not original to the model. Click on the image for more detail.

Type W196 R (streamliner) with original box. Made by Dinky (model number 237 in the Dinky series). Note the decal ("36") on the side. The box shows number "30."

Type W196 R (streamliner). Made by Dinky (model number 237 in the Dinky series). This model has number "30" on the sides and the engine hood. Variations of this British-made toy include red or chrome wheels, and either white or off-white paint.

Type W196 R streamliner. Die cast, approximately 1:65 scale. Made by Budgie (Britain). In reality, the streamliner W196 R Mercedes-Benz made its debut at Rheims in the July 4, 1954 French Grand Prix. The race was won by Juan Manuel Fangio in the number 18 streamline-bodied W196 R.

Number 7 in the Budgie miniature die cast series

Tinplate Mercedes-Benz W196 R streamliner. Made in West Germany. This model is representative of the 1954 Grand Prix cars. It has a friction motor and the steering wheel operates the front wheels.

Photos courtesy: Paul Mcleod / Australia / November 21, 2008

Carenata means "bodied with wheels covered" (i.e. streamlined) as opposed to the open wheeled Grand Prix style bodies.

The box shows number 92 on the body but the model itself is identified as "48."

This is the Type W196 R driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the French Grand Prix in Reims, July 4, 1954. Fangio won the race, and second place was also a W196 R driven by Karl Kling (number 20). Hans Herrmann started in number 22.

In this photo, Graham van Heerden (Cape Town, South Africa) shows us the CMC (Germany) 1:18 scale 1954 Mercedes-Benz Race Transporter with a model 300SLR (number 104, Targa Florio) being loaded.

In 2002, the German concern CMC released this highly detailed 1:18 scale die cast replica of the 1954 Type W21 Mercedes-Benz "Silver Arrow" Renntransporter (race transporter). The CMC catalog number was M-036. Silver Arrows (in German: "Silberpfeile") was the name given by the press to Germany's dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix racing cars between 1934 and 1939, and also later applied to the Mercedes-Benz Formula One and sports cars in 1954 and 1955.

The Renntransporter prototype included certain Ponton parts such as the cabin of a Type 180 sedan (modified to be a bit wider), headlights, doors, turn signals and more. The chassis of the original was from a Type W188 300S.

Surprisingly, the original Mercedes-Benz Renntransporter (shown here) was dismantled and scrapped by Daimler-Benz in 1967.

Technical Data of the Original Vehicle:
• In-line 6-cylinder engine (from 300SL) • Mechanical fuel injection • Maximum output: 192 hp at 5,500 rpm • Displacement: 2,996 cc • Top speed: 170 km/h (105 mph) • Wheel Base: 3,050 mm • Length: 6,750 mm • Width: 2,000 mm • Total weight: 2,100 kg (4,629 lbs)

In the late 1990s, DaimlerChrysler decided to build a new full scale transporter. They had to use archive photographs of the original because all of the blueprints and drawings were unavailable.  The original used a de-tuned (198 bhp) 3 liter in-line 6 cylinder engine from the Type 300SL "Gullwing" coupé, which was able to propel the transporter to 170 km/h (105 mph). The photo above shows the full scale reproduction Type W21 transporter as it appeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK) on July 8, 2001.  It includes the Type 300SLR "Uhlenhaut" coupé.  Photo courtesy: Mark Gussin.

Back to the 1:18 scale model again.  The W21 transporter and the W196 "Silver Arrow" race car were sold as individual pieces by CMC.  The models are quite detailed and true to the originals.  The doors are inscribed with, "Mercedes-Benz Rennabteilung." The rear fenders are inscribed with, "Max. Speed 105 m.p.h.."  The license tags are inscribed with, "W21-6568."  Photo of the CMC model courtesy: Graham van Heerden / Cape Town, South Africa / November 28, 2003

Another photo from Larry Hansen's collection. Even though the 300SLR is the only exact replica from the 1955 Mille Miglia (1,000 mile open-road race), all three of these Mercedes-Benz vehicles were champions in their respective classes in the race. Foreground: 1:18 scale version of the W196-S 300SLR Streamliner (Racing Sports Car Class), overall winner of the race.  The driver was Sterling Moss and his navigator was Denis Jenkinson. The pair won the race in 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds, at an average speed of 97.96 mph, a record which was never broken. Incidentally, Sterling Moss practiced the race course in a Type W180 220a Ponton sedan before he was allowed to drive the 300SLR on the Italian roads.  After the initial familiarization and testing period, when he took the 300SLR on the roads, Mercedes-Benz racing manager Alfred Neubauer said the speed was to be kept under 170 miles per hour and night driving was forbidden!

In the background, we see the Revell 1:18 scale Type 180 Ponton sedan, and a 1:18 scale 300SL Gullwing coupé. A black 300SL Gullwing (number "417", departed the Mille Miglia start line at 04:17) driven by American John Fitch with German navigator Kurt Gesell won the Standard Sports Car Class.

Revell 1:18 scale Type 180 Ponton sedan, and a 1:18 scale 300SL Gullwing coupé

Two photos of the "04" 180D in the 1955 Mille Miglia

Finally, the Type 180D Ponton sedan (40 bhp), driven by Helmut Retter and navigated by Wolfgang Larcher, won the Diesel Class of the historic 1,000 mile Italian race (coming in 201st overall) at an average speed of 58.81 mph. The diesel sedan left the start point (Brescia) at 00:04 a.m., and thus had the number "04" on the doors. The light colored car (a dullish gray*) had round fog lights, no hubcaps, and louvered blinds in the rear window. Photos of the 180D Mille Miglia Ponton courtesy: Larry Hansen / July 15, 2005

*A reader of this page contacted the editor on March 29, 2008, and reported that the color of the "04" 180D is "dullish gray", and is still the same color after all these years, and has not been resprayed. In 2008, it was in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

Number 722 signifies the time of the morning on May 1, 1955 that Sterling Moss and Denis Jenkinson started the race. Photo of Larry Hansen's collection courtesy: Jeff Miller / July 2, 2005

Mercedes-Benz Victory Posters
The famous 1955 Mille Miglia, and the 1955 ADAC-sponsored Eifel race