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1955 Mercedes-Benz W196 R Streamliner news, pictures, and information
| | View more photos Roadster Chassis Num: 9 |
The car featured here was driven in the monoposto form by Fangio to victory in the Grand Prix of Buenos Aires. Sir Stirling Moss piloted the car in streamliner configuration at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The first six seasons of the F1 championship were completely taken over by a single make, Ferrari. The rules were adapted in 1954 and either 750 cc engines with forced aspiration of 2500 cc engine with natural aspiration were allowed. This was now the time for Mercedes-Benz to re-enter the Grand Prix racing, twenty years from when the first Mercedes Benz GP vehicle, the W25.
There were 15 models constructed; the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R was sold as either an open wheel variant dubbed the 'Monoposto' or an aerodynamic version called the Streamliner. Mercedes-Benz returned to Formula 1 racing with the Mercedes W196 in 1954. Introduced at the 1954 Reims Grand Prix, the W196 looked like nothing else on the grid. Even under the streamlined body, all new cutting edge innovations were introduced. The 'Typ Monza' version impressed the racing world with its premiere at Reims. The controversial fully enclosed streamliner bodywork with the aerodynamic shape was a sight that had never before been seen by the adoring public. A smaller frontal area was the result of the straight 8 cylinder engine being titled 37 degrees. A desmodromic valve operating system was placed in the W196 and no valve springs closed the valves, instead one camshaft opened the valves and a second one closed them again.
Nine victories were claimed by the W 196 Streamliner that included fastest lap, plus 8 pole positions in 12 Grand Prix races by Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. Juan Manual Fangio achieved world championship titles in 1954 and 1955 in a combination of streamliner and monoposto variations of the W196. The W196's first victory at Grand Prix was achieved by Fangio with his team mate Kling just a few meters behind him. Moss lead three other W196's to victory at the British Grand Prix at Aintree in 1955.
Originally developed for the 300 SL, Bosch direct fuel injection was utilized. The drum brakes were moved inboard to decrease the unsprung weight. The Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner was quite a complex vehicle, and a tribute to its pre-war cousins.
During its production run, a variety of versions of the W196 was built. The streamlined version for high speed tracks like Reims, Monz and Avus and more conventional bodied versions for the road racing tracks. A short wheel base version was constructed for the 1955 season and an even shorter model for the '55 Monaco Grand Prix. The latter model was built with outboard brakes for cooling reasons.
Unfortunately tragedy was in store for the 1955 season as 87 people were tragically killed by a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR that flew into a grandstand. Mercedes-Benz chose to withdraw from mortorsport, and didn't make the return that fans had hoped.
Today, the W 196 R is on display as part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Collection.Jessica Donaldson
There were 15 models constructed; the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R was sold as either an open wheel variant dubbed the 'Monoposto' or an aerodynamic version called the Streamliner. Mercedes-Benz returned to Formula 1 racing with the Mercedes W196 in 1954. Introduced at the 1954 Reims Grand Prix, the W196 looked like nothing else on the grid. Even under the streamlined body, all new cutting edge innovations were introduced. The 'Typ Monza' version impressed the racing world with its premiere at Reims. The controversial fully enclosed streamliner bodywork with the aerodynamic shape was a sight that had never before been seen by the adoring public. A smaller frontal area was the result of the straight 8 cylinder engine being titled 37 degrees. A desmodromic valve operating system was placed in the W196 and no valve springs closed the valves, instead one camshaft opened the valves and a second one closed them again.
Nine victories were claimed by the W 196 Streamliner that included fastest lap, plus 8 pole positions in 12 Grand Prix races by Stirling Moss and Juan Manuel Fangio. Juan Manual Fangio achieved world championship titles in 1954 and 1955 in a combination of streamliner and monoposto variations of the W196. The W196's first victory at Grand Prix was achieved by Fangio with his team mate Kling just a few meters behind him. Moss lead three other W196's to victory at the British Grand Prix at Aintree in 1955.
Originally developed for the 300 SL, Bosch direct fuel injection was utilized. The drum brakes were moved inboard to decrease the unsprung weight. The Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner was quite a complex vehicle, and a tribute to its pre-war cousins.
During its production run, a variety of versions of the W196 was built. The streamlined version for high speed tracks like Reims, Monz and Avus and more conventional bodied versions for the road racing tracks. A short wheel base version was constructed for the 1955 season and an even shorter model for the '55 Monaco Grand Prix. The latter model was built with outboard brakes for cooling reasons.
Unfortunately tragedy was in store for the 1955 season as 87 people were tragically killed by a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR that flew into a grandstand. Mercedes-Benz chose to withdraw from mortorsport, and didn't make the return that fans had hoped.
Today, the W 196 R is on display as part of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Collection.Jessica Donaldson
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