Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Tyres Explained
Red Mercedes-Benz 300 SL with Lifted Doors and Bonnet
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing Classic Tyres
Initially equipped with 670x15 crossply tyres, the Mercedes Gullwing 300SL later switched to 650x15 crossply tyres. We would advise fitting the 670H15 Avon TurboSpeed if you plan to continue using the original crossply tyres. Other tyres in this size are available, but they don't have a speed rating appropriate for the Gullwing. White wall tyres are also available in this size, but they would not live up to the power or beauty of the Gullwing.
Given the prevalence of dual carriageways in modern driving, Longstone advises equipping your 300SL Mercedes Gullwing with 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 radial tyres. Not only is the CINTURATO™ the only period radial tyre available in the proper size, but the 185 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CA67 will improve the car's handling as well.
1952 saw the development of the CINTURATO to improve and complement sports cars from that era. Modern tyres wouldn't fit the car's handling as well; the CINTURATO is the sports car tyre from the Gullwing's era, and is therefore perfectly suited to the Gullwing driving dynamics and forces generated by the car.
White Mercedes-Benz Gullwing
Low Profile Mercedes Gullwing Tyres
People frequently wish to install 1970s-style low-profile tyres on automobiles from this era. Although it would be broader, a tyre of the size 205/70 R15 would have a similar diameter.
If you want to fit a wider tyre, the 205/70VR15 Michelin XWX or 205 VR 15 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN72 are the best options. These tyres, which have extremely high speed ratings, were the preferred option for Lamborghini Muira and Ferrari Daytona, as well as later Mercedes vehicles.
These recommended tyres will be well suited to the Michelin 15F innertube.
Black Mercedes-Benz Gullwing
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is a two-seat sports car that was offered as both a stunning open roadster and a closed coupe with its incredible gullwing doors.
These remarkable vehicles, internally designated W198, were produced by Daimler-Benz. The road version of the 1952 model was mostly based on the Mercedes-Benz SL (W194), the company's very successful competition-only sports car, which had marginally less power because it was still powered by carburettors.
This model was introduced to the USA by Mr. Max Hoffman and was aimed at customers looking for a high-powered sports car in the booming, post-war American market. It was introduced at the 1954 New York auto show, unlike previous models that were introduced at either the Frankfurt or Geneva automobile shows.
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
The amazing 300SL was most recognised for its gullwing doors and for being the first petrol-powered vehicle to have direct fuel injection into the combustion chamber. Sales of the amazing Mercedes-Benz Gullwing took place between 1955 and 1957. The "300" stood for the engine displacement, which in the case of the Mercedes 300SL was three litres, in true Mercedes-Benz flair. The SL stands for 'Sport Leicht' or sport light.
The Mercedes-Benz Gullwing earned its nickname because of its roof-mounted hinged doors, which made the vehicle look like a flying bird when opened. This allowed established engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut to design the tubular chassis to pass through what would usually be the lower half of the door!