Mercedes-Benz C 111 historic prototype with gullwing doors

[pk2678]

Hello,

in the late 60s Mercedes-Benz started the series C 111 for experimenting with plastic body and new engines (including Wankel). Because of several problems, these never came into production. Some of the protoypes survived. Now for a rallye in the Austrian alps, Mercedes brought back to the road a C 111 with a 3.5 liter V8-engine. I had the luck to see it at a stop. Attached are some pictures of the car, usually only seen in a museum. Enjoy them.

--Peter

[pezzonovante88]

Cool! Certainly not a car you see everyday. I remember seeing those in the Maisto die-cast car catalogs when I was little. Very interesting car - you're lucky to have seen it.

Here's a pic from conceptcarz.com with a certain other gullwinged car...
28787

[Domi]

I have one.... in 1:18 scale :biggrin:
Beautiful car, thank you for sharing your pictures ;)

[SIMid]

I have one.... in 1:18 scale :biggrin:


Me too! :)

[pk2678]

...
Beautiful car, thank you for sharing your pictures ;)

You're welcome!

[Kane]

It's funny how in every one of your pictures, everyone has their back to the car or otherwise not looking at it. :)

[DMCNI]

Heres a video giving a bit of history on the C111...enjoy.

http://youtu.be/t5RD_qQPdpQ

[pk2678]

It's funny how in every one of your pictures, everyone has their back to the car or otherwise not looking at it. :)

That's a little bit triggered by myself. These are mainly the drivers which were standing at their cars talking to each other. And the pictures have been taken at the moments when no other persons were looking at the car or standing inbetween the car and me.

--Peter

[john 05141]

That car should not be running in any rallye.
Imagine the Delorean prototype driving that.......

Such a shame...

Jan

[Andy]

That car should not be running in any rallye.
Imagine the Delorean prototype driving that.......

Such a shame...

Jan

Why not? Cars are meant to be driven, even 'prototypes'! I would love to see the DeLorean prototype being driven around more ; it will hold its value, no matter how many miles are on it, don't worry about that ...

[john 05141]

nah-ah,
Such seldom cars belong in a museum or a place where they are preserved.
One error with some other driver and the car is lost forever.

Problem is people think these protoypes are worth a fortune so no museum can afford them, so this is what happens, provate persons buy them and evetually do stupid things.
A drive, ok, if doen respectfully, and just to keep it in condition, but not a rallye....

I know the D proto is for sale, If I had the cash and the place I'd buy it with the promise to keep it safe, it would never be put on the road... ever.

Jan

[Andy]

In my opinion, a car is 'preserved' when it's used for what it's made for, and that's driving it. I could never buy a car (any car) and just look at it in the garage ; that's not what it's made for! Besides, you do more damage to a car by NOT driving it!

Another example: the original Ferrari 250 GTO ; today it's worth millions and still the owners don't hesitate to drive (and even race) it. Because that's what it's made to do! And they have crashed quite a few of those, haven't they? This is the lastest I know of: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2170957/Classic-Ferrari-worth-20-MILLION-caught-worlds-expensive-car-crash.html

Anyway, each to his own, but I rather drive a car than make it a garagequeen ...