History of chassis 00001/52

Chassis 0001/52 was the prototype W194 300 SL initially used by Mercedes-Benz for testing duty ahead of the company’s 1952 motor sport campaign.

Having starred in a series of promotional photographs, on March 12th 1952 chassis 00001/52 was presented to select member of the press on a closed section of the Stuttgart to Heilbronn motorway where it was demonstrated at high speed.

Like subsequent sister car 00002/52, chassis 00001/52 was not used competitively in 1952 and served purely as a development mule.

Once this role was complete, the well-used car was reputedly dismantled by Mercedes-Benz with any serviceable parts retained and the rest destroyed.