October issue: Diecast Model of the Month - Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut Coupe’

CMC Exclusive Modelle
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR ‘Uhlenhaut Coupe’
PRICE: £246.99 LIMIT: NOT SPECIFIED SCALE: 1/18 REF NO: CMC M076

In 1955, the chief of the Mercedes-Benz racing department, Rudolf Uhlenhaut, planned his ideal racing car… and the 300 SLR was the strikingly elegant result.

One would be forgiven for thinking that this car was based on the iconic 300 SL Gull Wing, but it was actually developed from the Formula 1 Mercedes W196 race car, of which nine chassis were produced. Commercially, the W196 was considered a thoroughly uninspiring name, so Mercedes’ marketeers branded it the SLR instead – thought to stand for Sport Leicht Rennen. Just two units of the road-going model were manufactured and sadly, the coupe never actually competed on a race track because Mercedes withdrew from professional racing in late 1955. However, Stirling Moss used a modified version to win the legendary Mille Miglia. At the time, it also meant that designer Uhlenhaut drove the most impressive company car ever.

As for CMC’s rendition, with more than 1,800 parts, it leaves one almost speechless, as few scale models attain this standard.

The internal detail is most impressive, with real leather upholstery and tartan seats. All switches and dials are incredibly fine, and the steering wheel looks like real wood. A super-smooth scissor mechanism ensures the gull-wing doors stay fully open for viewing the classy interior, and other refinements include hand-laced spoke wheels, bonnet-mounted mesh air intake and there’s even more to see under the spare wheels in the boot. Undoubtedly, though, the car’s highlight is its engine. Once the bonnet is propped, a dazzling amount of detail is revealed and how long it takes to assemble is anyone’s guess. This is small-scale engineering at its best, and while your wallet will be more than £200 lighter, you’ll own one of the finest models ever produced.

*'Model of the Month' is a regular feature in Diecast Collector magazine.

*If diecast models interest you, click here to see which back issues are available.