1973 Mercedes 350 SL Rally

If you go through HERO-ERA’s YouTube Channel and watch a variety of their rallies, endurance or one day, you will see a surprising number of Mercedes-Benz sports cars competing, especially the 350 SL. They are not just fantastic looking machines,but they are fast and robust – ideal for any of the HERO-ERA events on the calendar.

So it is with pleasure to announce that soon the Arrive Drive fleet will be augmented by a superb Mercedes 350 SL rally car with its 3.5 litre V8 engine and nimble handling which are sure to make it a winning hire!

In fact, the 3.5-litre V8 engine fitted will be tuned in reliability mode with an upgraded ignition system, performance camshafts, and custom free-flow exhaust systems to maximise low-end torque. 

The suspension and handling as you would expect, are a top consideration given the terrain to be tackled. The suspension is raised, with a heavy-duty custom rally suspension system built to absorb severe impacts on loose gravel and dirt tracks.That will not compromise its tarmac handling as the system will be tuned to a certain compromise in order to deal with both surfaces.

Wheels and brakes will play a vital role with the Mercedes 350 SL. Strong15-inch steel wheels with mud and snow tyres will be paired with uprated brake pads and drilled brake discs to help with hard braking. 

The cockpit will be fully HERO-ERA, geared for rallying with all the right equipment. A functional interior fitted with multi-point roll cage, bucket seats, multi-point harnesses, and the correct navigation equipment for the co-driver.

Mercedes is quite surprising in that it is known for its racing success, but if you delve down you will find it has a surprisingly successful history in rallying, despite the awards the three pointed star has garnered in Formula 1, DTM, and endurance racing. 

Historic rally successes in the 1950s and 1960s are little known, but Mercedes-Benz secured four European Rally Championship wins during this era, utilising tough touring and sports cars like the 220SE, 300SE, and the W113 "Pagoda" 230SL. 

Between 1978 and 1979 the luxurious 450 SLC was transformed by Mercedes engineers from the heavy but glamorous 450 SLC coupe, into a rugged endurance rally machine. Four works-prepared cars dominated the gruelling 30,000 km South American Rally in 1978.

In1979, Mercedes officially entered the World Rally Championship (WRC) with Bjorn Waldegard driving, and again, they surprisingly claimed second overall in the World Driver’s Championship. And in another Mercedes surprise, they achieved it using a four speed automatic transmission!

It was powered by an all-aluminum 5.0-liter V8 engine pushing out upwards of 290 to 330 hp in full rally specification.

In the final rally of the year, the Bandama Rally Côte d'Ivoire in Africa, Mercedes-Benz achieved a dominant 1-2-3-4 finish in the gruelling rally, cementing the car's ultimate reputation for endurance.

Mercedes planned a huge season of WRC rallying in 1981 with 1980 World Champion, German Walter Rohrl driving. Unfortunately, Mercedes pulled out after pre-season testing when Walter candidly suggested they might not win the 1981 Monte Carlo Rally, plus a testing accident in Europe produced adverse publicity.  

Undaunted, Mercedes achieved double success on the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1983.F1 and Sportscar star Jackie Ickx won with the rugged Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon as Mercedes won the Truck Division at the same time! 

You may well be quite excited, as we are, that the Mercedes 350 SL with all its history and in built competition specification will be available for hire. However, like us you will have to be patient due to the (nearly completed) rebuild, but one thing is for sure, it will be worth the wait!