Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner 1954

[NART512]

History:
This car is one of the most historic Formula 1 cars of all time (yes I said this is an F1 car). The car was the replacement for the Mercedes W196. Mercedes controversially covered the wheels of their car to make the car more aerodynamic. This in all made the Mercedes W196 Streamliner. The car was first unveiled at the 1954 French Grand Prix where the cars ran away from the rest of the field resulting in the streamliner's first win. The cars reappeared for the 1954 British Grand prix at Silverstone because the open-wheel version was not ready to be raced yet. Fangio put the car on pole however could not keep it there during the race resulting in a 4th and 7th for Mercedes. The car did was entered again 2 races later at Monza while the open-wheeled version took over for the German and Swiss Grand Prixes. At Monza the streamliner won after the leading Gordini broke. The car only raced at Monza in the 1955 season where it was victorious again.
Wins:
French Grand Prix: 1 (1954 Juan Manuel Fangio)
Italian Grand Prix: 2 (1954,1955 Juan Manuel Fangio)

Specs:Engine: Mercedes Fuel-Injected 2.5L Straight 8
Power: 257bhp

Related:
Mercedes 300 SLR:https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/1955-mercedes-benz-300-slr.301942/
Spa Franchorchamps 1921 - 1978 14.9 km: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/spa-franchorchamps-1921-1978-14-9-km.298567/#post-9332519

 

[StarLight]

Only two votes?

 

[Sick Cylinder]

This car would be a great addition - always loved the straight eight desmodromic valve engine with crank centre power takeoff.

The great Stirling Moss drove these cars when he was the team mate of Juan Manuel Fangio. The streamliner bodywork was used for Monza as it was an ultra fast track. Mercedes Benz put in a huge effort with these cars and even had versions with different wheelbase chassis.

It would be great if Stirling Moss could be chosen as a legend like Mario Andretti and this car would be an appropriate tribute to him.

Clip shows the streamliner and the unfaired W196 which was raced much more often than the streamliner.



By the way Nart512 - the year is supposed to come at the end of the thread title and also helps with alphabetic sorting of the car suggestions - Make / Model / Year

 

[GTCHAMPION1]

I would love to see this two & would love to see the R199 McLaren SLR 722 & the McLaren SLR Stirling Moss (the one with no windshield so you can get bugs on your face)-yes I want that

 

[NART512]

This car and the 1955 300 slr are very alike. The SLR had the same engine and was basically the sportcar version of this.

 

[StarLight]

Lord March and Sir Stirling Moss at Goodwood last weekend!

 

[cbarbosa]

Man, these suggestions of classic cars for GT6 are killing me...

👍

 

[CostasDrifter]

Great car...Voted!

 

[GTCHAMPION1]

We need more Mercedes & AMG in the game

 

[Sick Cylinder]

I noticed an error in the original post - the W196 engine was not supercharged. The new for 1954 F1 rules allowed engines of 2.5 litres naturally aspirated or 0.75 litres supercharged. This was Mercedes Benz first unsupercharged F1 engine.

The streamliner body was not suitable for twisty circuits and was only used on a few occasions - Reims-Geux, Silverstone (where it was defeated) and Monza - it was known as the Monza body.

Because the W196 wasn't ready on time Fangio won two Grand Prix for Maserati at the start of 1954 before he started racing the Mercedes.

Chassis with wheelbase varying by as much as 4 inches were tried by Moss in testing. The air inlet was moved to just in front of the windscreen on the streamliner following problems with blockages of the inlet near the nose on the earlier model.

 

[NART512]

I noticed an error in the original post - the W196 engine was not supercharged. The new for 1954 F1 rules allowed engines of 2.5 litres naturally aspirated or 0.75 litres supercharged. This was Mercedes Benz first unsupercharged F1 engine.

The streamliner body was not suitable for twisty circuits and was only used on a few occasions - Reims-Geux, Silverstone (where it was defeated) and Monza - it was known as the Monza body.

Because the W196 wasn't ready on time Fangio won two Grand Prix for Maserati at the start of 1954 before he started racing the Mercedes.

Chassis with wheelbase varying by as much as 4 inches were tried by Moss in testing. The air inlet was moved to just in front of the windscreen on the streamliner following problems with blockages of the inlet near the nose on the earlier model.

Ah thanks for noticing. I don't remember what website I was looking at but I found a much better one

 

[GranTurismo guy]

I Really have a thing for old Mercedes racers