German Sports Cars

German Sports Cars

Some models have strongly influenced both history and the way that the public recognizes the make. This was the case of the 300 SL by Mercedes and the 911 by Porsche.

Max Hoffman, the American dealer of Daimler-Benz, felt the necessity of reviving the German makes by designing two new models. The first of the 190 SL models was comfortable and solid, whereas the second, the 300 SL, was sporty and base on racing models. The factory at Stuttgart was willing to be persuaded and in 1954, a new car, which was a concentration of Mercedes’ know-how, was presented at the New York car motor show. The 300 SL (Sport Leicht = Sport Light) model was inspired by the winning models from Le Mans in 1952 from which the tilting doors were taken and the chassis was made of steel tubes. Due to its new injection engine and sophisticated aerodynamics, the 300 SL model was extremely powerful and put its competitor into the roles of extras. In this way, Mercedes brilliantly returned back among to top automobile producers because it introduces the very first German sports cars after the war.

The decisive stake of the Porsche family in 911 model, launched in the 1963 by the bold 356 model. However its history began chaotically because the new Porsche called the 901 had to abandon using this number upon the request of Peugeot, who held the rights to have a zero in the middle of hundred numbers. However the name “911” did not stop the car from becoming a legend and almost the only competitor to the Italian Gran Tourismo tradition. Its hatchback design by Ferdinand “Butzy” Porsche was the milestone and the model 911 catapulted the car among the best-sold sports cars ever. The individual versions and innovations have guaranteed undeniable success after 40 years.