Two Extremely Rare ( and Valuable ) Mercedes Racers

black mamba

These two cars represent a couple of Mercedes-Benz's most successful Formula 1 race cars. They are seldom seen outside of the corporate museum. The display in which I shot them was very dark with some sort of odd overhead lighting. It took much more PP than I usually employ to get them to this stage. More noise than I like....but I wanted you to see them. They are extremely rare and priceless.

The following is known as the W 196....circa 1954. One of these cars was involved in a horrific wreck in a grandstand area that killed many people. Afterwards, Mercedes withdrew from Formula 1 racing for 30 years.







This one is known as the W 163....circa 1939.

Jack'll do

Howdy Tom

These are wonderful both from an automotive as well as a photographic standpoint. You have captured these priceless beauties exceptionally well. Thanks for letting us have a look.

PS: I could probably climb into #16 but getting out is another story (I'd probably fall and break a hip)
Be Well

black mamba

Yo Jack,

Thanks for the kind words. I hear you about getting in and out of the W 196. That does look to be a real challenge, doesn't it?

I have a little experience entering and exiting race cars. If you didn't see it, look up a post of mine about 1 month ago dealing with cars.

Take care my friend,

Tom

eL eSs Vee

black mamba wrote:

If you didn't see it, look up a post of mine about 1 month ago dealing with cars.

Well, that's narrowing the field!

Wonderful shots, Tom! Beautiful cars!

black mamba

Hey Lee,

Well.....what can I say. That's just too funny. I opened myself up for that one. Glad you liked the shots.

Take care,

Tom

Azzaro

Hi Tom.......I really like those shots....Well done......I remember seeing news reels of the wreck... 80 people were killed ... azzaro

GSPeP

Very nice

I love these "silver arrows" These cars must be worth a fortune.

"Silberpfeil" (silver arrow) was the unofficial name of the racecars from Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union (now Audi) in those days.

Panther

Howdy Tom,

Those are really neat Machines, I love that shot from the Back, really a neat view into the Racer.

Very Nicely Done!!!

Great sharp and clean details.

tisun

Hi Tom,

Beautiful machines. I also like the shot from the back of the car.

Anthony

Dogdots

Beautiful cars. I like the one too from the back end

black mamba

Hi Azzaro,

I couldn't remember how many people that wreck took out, but I knew it was a lot. I've seen films of the incident.....it was horrible. Thanks for you kind remarks.

Take care,

Tom

black mamba

Hi Peter,

Thanks for looking in. Cars of this caliber and with the history they have....I don't know how you could come up with a value for them. I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to see and touch them. One of the things that impressed me the most about them was that every single, little detail about them was superbly engineered and manufactured. I mean it was pure perfection.

Take care,

Tom

black mamba

Hey Craig, Anthony, and Mary Kim....

Thanks to all for your comments. The view from the back of that car was pretty interesting. A noticeable feature of the car is that huge steering wheel....necessary because it had no power steering.

Tom

Dogdots

black mamba wrote:

Hey Craig, Anthony, and Mary Kim....

Thanks to all for your comments. The view from the back of that car was pretty interesting. A noticeable feature of the car is that huge steering wheel....necessary because it had no power steering.

Tom

No power steering -- oh my. I remember driving cars with no power steering. Builds up those arm muscles

rwells

What beautiful curves




Oh, I must really be getting old ~ that used to be directed toward something completely different


Thanks for the nice shots Tom!