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Montvale, NJ – Mercedes-Benz marks the 75th anniversary of its famed Silver Arrows at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance when five original competition racecars, the largest historical display of Silver Arrows in the United States, take center stage at the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge and the Concours’ famed 18th fairway from August 13-16, 2009.
The first races in which the Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows competed, in Berlin and at the Nürburgring in late May and early June of 1934, marked the birth of the Silver Arrow legend and signaled a new era in chassis and engine innovation.
Between 1934-1936, the Mercedes-Benz W 25, borrowing from the luxury car model 380, set new automotive standards with its independent suspension and supercharged eight-cylinder in-line engine that produced 354 hp and in further development phases was boosted to 494 hp. The Mercedes-Benz W 25 Silver Arrow scored 16 victories in Grand Prix and other major international races setting off a new era in racing history.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge feature five authentic Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrows including the W 25, two W 154s, a W 194 and a W 196 R Streamliner.
A viewing of the limited-edition 650-hp Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Stirling Moss at the Concours honors one of the greatest drivers of the Silver Arrow era, Sir Stirling Moss and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Silver Arrow he piloted to numerous victories including the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio. The SLR Stirling Moss V8 supercharged engine accelerates from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 218 mph.
In addition to the Silver Arrows display, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge at Pebble Beach features an exhibit of nine generations of the E-Class, starting with generation one, the series 136 model 170 from 1947, to the Ponton of the 1950s and Fintail from the 1960s, up to the current ninth generation 212 series – 2010 E-Class and E63 AMG.
The E-Class heritage display demonstrates the long and successful evolution of Mercedes-Benz safety, comfort and quality innovations that culminate in the 212 series including Attention Assist – standard drowsy driving detection system – and options such as Lane Keeping Assist and Pre-Safe brake system.
In another comparison of vintage to modern luxury, a 1932 Maybach Zeppelin DS 8, one of the most famous models in the line-up of international luxury cars – a twelve-cylinder car that was built between 1930 and 1937 – is set along side a 2010 Maybach Zeppelin, equipped with a V12 engine that produces 631 hp. This luxury saloon is one of only 100 production models available, making it one of the world’s most exclusive vehicles on the market.
“As the company that invented the automobile, Mercedes-Benz proudly celebrates its heritage each year at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance,” said Mike Kunz, manager of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California. “This year’s Silver Arrow and E-Class displays are supreme examples of Mercedes-Benz historical significance and major contributions within the automotive industry.”
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California, plays an important role in preparing customers’ vintage Mercedes-Benz vehicles for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance through its world-class workshop that provides parts and restoration services.
Press release via Mercedes-Benz
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