Two Silver Arrows from the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection will be showcased at this weekend’s Goodwood Revival in honor of British racing driver, Sir Stirling Moss, who passed away in April 2020.
One, the 300 SLR (W 196 S) is the late British star’s most famous racing car. Boasting starting number “722”, Moss and journalist co-driver Denis Jenkinson drove it to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia at an astonishing average speed of 97.96 mph over the 1,000-mile race, a mark that will last for all eternity.
Monaco Grand Prix on 22 May 1955. Stirling Moss in the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Classic
At the wheel of the second car on display — a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R — British GP-winner Moss finished as the runner-up in the 1955 Formula 1 World Championship, beaten only by his teammate, Juan Manuel Fangio.
The Goodwood Revival uses the traditional circuit for presentation runs and races with historic racing cars. Numerous spectacular F1 and sports cars as well as motorcycling races were held on the 2.37-mile Goodwood Circuit between 1948 and 1966.
The 2021 event is dedicated to Sir Stirling Moss: For this reason, it may potentially bring together the largest number of racing cars driven by the famous motorist. The Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy will also become one of the event’s permanent features as of this year.
Mille Miglia (Brescia/Italy), 1 May 1955. Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, later to be overall winners, in the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W 196 S)Photo: Mercedes-Benz Classic
“Mercedes-Benz Classic has already showcased the ‘722’ at several events in the UK over the past months in honor of the great person and racing driver that Sir Stirling Moss was,” Christian Boucke, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic, explained. “The Goodwood Revival constitutes both the pinnacle as well as the final stop of this special tour.
“In addition to this sports racing car, we will be showcasing the 1955 Formula 1 car at the event,” Boucke contined.
Mercedes-Benz Classic Insight entitled “125 Years of Motorsport” at Silverstone, 4 and 5 April 2019. Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz W 196 R Formula One racing car with streamlined body from 1954 and 1955. Photo: Mercedes-Benz Classic
The two Silver Arrows, with their distinctive sound are each driven by an eight-cylinder, in-line engine. Key data of the Grand Prix racing car: 2.5 liters, 290 hp. The sports racing car boasts 3 liters of displacement and 310 hp.
