First principles first: This car is exceptionally, fundamentally, absolutely beautiful.
That was, naturally, the whole idea. The W198 300SL came into being in 1953, when Max Hoffman, Austrian-American maverick auto importer and bon vivant, declared that Mercedes needed a marquee car, based in racing yet drivable on the road, to compete in the cosmopolitan American market.
This is an excerpt from our recent article, The Search For the Greatest Sports Car of All Time, where we rounded up eight of the most important enthusiast cars ever made, track-tested them at Lime Rock Park, and declared one ultimate winner. Enjoy this chapter on the Mercedes-Benz 300SL, but be sure to read the entire eight-part story here.
Type keyword(s) to search Our car experts choose every product we feature. We may earn money from the links on this page. DW Burnett
A brash, hilarious, friendly surprise from motoring s past. Jan 1, 2021
When we came up with the original list of cars for this test, the MG TC wasn’t on it. Not that the MG isn’t significant. It debuted around the same time as this magazine. Legions of TCs crossed the Atlantic after World War II, following servicemembers who bought them on the cheap. The scrappy little MG was long part of the
This is an excerpt from our recent article, The Search For the Greatest Sports Car of All Time, where we rounded up eight of the most important enthusiast cars ever made, track-tested them at Lime Rock Park, and declared one ultimate winner. Enjoy this chapter on the MG TC, but be sure to read the entire eight-part story.
$46,500
The word “friendly” comes to mind. At Big Bend, Lime Rock’s sweeping first turn, the M5’s body leans in for a kiss against the chassis then feels unfussed from apex to corner exit. Absolutely neutral. The front end doesn’t push or gripe even a millisecond before the rear tires give. If anything, this car was meant to be thrown loose into every corner, coaxed forward by bootfulls of throttle into each apex.
The M5’s cabin ergonomics allow that play. The tall greenhouse feels airy and open, its thin, delicate pillars adding to the sense of ease by allowing in acres of light. The hood dives away from sight. All the bells and whistles are present: a powerful stereo, onboard diagnostic computer, and headrests that adjust with the touch of a button.