Mercedes-Benz at Essen 2010

Massive Mercedes Classic display featured a mouthwatering display of the Silver Star's glorious past. SSKs from the '20s part of the display.

Silver Arrows for the street: l-r CLK DTM road car, SLR Vision design exercise and 1998 V-12 CLK GTR road car. The SLR Vision set the general design theme for the SLR and was based on a R129 SL chassis. The road going CLK DTM was produced in limited numbers in Europe although a few were imported to the US via the gray market channels, most notably by Canepa Design in Scotts Valley, CA. The zany CLK GTR coupe was also an extremely low production supercar for European sales only. A wonderful lineup.

The SLR Vision styling exercise from 1999 exhibits a very flowing and pure shape. Futuristic interior design thankfully was not carried forward to the final SLR McLaren design. A roadster version was constructed as well.

Another look at the wild CLK GTR, a LeMans contender in street guise. FIA homologation requirements required 25 street versions be constructed before the car was approved for racing. At $1,547,620 apiece, the street versions became the most expensive production automobile ever constructed at the time.

Rarely shown 1991 C112 features a number of then revolutionary technologies - Active Body Control (ABC), tire pressure monitors and active rear steering. A 408hp six liter V-12 powered this attractive if sober design.

Three quarters of Mercedes-Benz' lineage of Gullwings. Final link is the 2011 SLS AMG Gullwing. Orange C111 in the middle featured potent Wankel 4-rotor power.

SSK series is now considered the first production 'Supercar.' This 1929 roadster is fitted with a seven liter supercharged six cylinder. Output was about 240hp. Approximately 40 were produced. I recognize the red 300SL roadster in the background.

Yes, this is a familiar face. MercedesHeritage sold this car four years ago to a European client and I'm pleased the new owner resisted the temptation to restore the car and destroy its lovely character. A single family owned California quasi-barn find, this roadster had patina and presence in spades. I spent some nice afternoons touring central California's backroads. We sold it for $229k(!) in 2006, a pittance today.

1952 300SL returned Mercedes-Benz to post war road racing prominence with a LeMans win. Many styling cues found on the production 1954 Gullwing are in place. The early W194 (production Gullwings are designated W198)Â racing Gullwings lacked fuel injection and were still fitted with carburetors. Note massive air brake panel situated on the roof. LeMans scrutineers were not amused with this clever braking aid.

Gorgeous 500K Cabriolet B (convertible-4 passenger-with rear quarter window) features a five liter straight eight producing 160hp with supercharger engaged. Zero to sixty mph times were around 16 seconds. Stunning car. Note the restoration in progress behind it. This is the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center's elegant display.

The supercharged eight cylinder 380 series was introduced in 1933 and led to the glorious 500/540Ks of the mid to late '30s. This 1934 380K carries the desirable 'Spezialroadster' coachwork. Output was about 144hp with supercharger engaged. A stunning car.

This 1935 500K Cabriolet C (convertible-4 passenger-no rear quarter window) illustrated bulky top storage when lowered. Far sleeker with tops retracted, the Cabriolet A and special roadsters command more money.

Here is a 1936 500K in Cabriolet A (convertible-two passenger-luggage storage behind seats-no rear quarter windows) configuration, very sleek and dramatic. This car presents a very handsome presence sans whitewalls and finished in a dark blue. Note massive spot lights mounted on 'A' posts. Superb. Eclectic nature of Essen demonstrated by Borgward Isabella and Porsche 911 Targa in the background. I even see a Volvo 140 series tail just above the 500Ks rear fender. Eclectic indeed.

I see another familiar face in this clever display. MercedesHeritage also sold this wonderful fire damaged 300SL Roadster 'barn-find' in the foreground a few years ago. After carefully cleaning the car, the current owner has left the car entirely as dragged from the previous owner's burning home! It provides a pointed contrast to the spotless 190SLs sharing the display. Wonderful.