This weekend, it was exactly 60 years ago that Sir Stirling Moss won the Mille Miglia averaging close to 100 mph in his Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, while using the pace-notes of his co-driver, the journalist Dennis Jenkinson. Remarkably, this record-shattering run was the debut for the new 300 SLR sports racer. Powered by a direct-injection, straight-eight engine and built around a sophisticated tubular spaceframe chassis, it was effectively a two-seater version of the all-conquering W196 Formula 1 car. Moss would go on to add victories in the Tourist Trophy and Targa Florio to the 300 SLR's tally on the way to the World Championship but the successful season was overshadowed by the horrible accident at Le Mans, which saw one of the SLRs fly into the crowd, killing dozens of spectators. The tragedy was one of the main reasons for Mercedes-Benz to cease all motorsport activities after the 1955 season and the 300 SLRs were not raced again. To mark the 60th anniversary of Moss and Jenkinson's heroic effort, we have taken a renewed look at the 300 SLR with a feature that includes three of the seven surviving Roadsters. At the upcoming Goodwood Festival of Speed in June, we may see as many as eight examples, including the two Uhlenhaut Coupes.
Catering to the specific needs of the company's clients, Porsche established the 'Exclusive Department' during the 1980s. The very first machine created in this department was this 930/935 TAG Turbo. Based on the latest 3.3-litre engined Porsche 911 Turbo, the car was created on behalf of Mansour Ojjeh, whose TAG company had bankrolled the development of the Porsche V6 engine that would go to power McLarens to three World Championships. Inspired by the all-conquering 935 competition cars, Ojjeh's one-off Porsche featured a wild body kit, a custom interior and a 25% hike in power from the turbocharged flat-six engine. We have captured the unique 930/935 TAG Turbo at the recent Techno Classica.

Enjoy the links:

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Roadster - Images, Specifications and Information

1983 Porsche 930/935 TAG Turbo - Images, Specifications and Information