Mercedes-Benz to Exhibit Rare 'Gullwings' at Pebble Beach

Premiere Concours d'Elegance Set for Sunday, August 15 on 18th Green

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., Aug. 13 -- Mercedes-Benz, the world's first automobile manufacturer, will display an impressive collection of its iconic prewar and postwar cars at the 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on August 15.

At Pebble Beach, Mercedes-Benz will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the 300SL coupe, the classic racecar-derived sports car commonly called the "Gullwing" -- due to its unusual vertical-opening doors. The door design was made necessary by the 300SL's tubular "spaceframe" chassis, which was based on the 1952-1954 300SL racecars.

An international jury of experts and enthusiasts voted the 300SL the most significant sports car of the 20th century for the German publication Motor Klassik. The 300SL was the first sports car to combine advanced racecar technology and performance with civilized road manners. It introduced such innovations as direct fuel injection and four-wheel independent suspension, features that did not become common even on other high-end sports cars until the 1960s.

Mercedes built just 1,400 300SL coupes from 1955-1957, when the 300SL roadster succeeded it. About three-quarters of the 300SL coupes produced were originally sold in the United States. The "Gullwing" today remains one of the world's most desirable collector cars.

At Pebble Beach, Mercedes will display a number of 300SL coupes on the Concours field, each with a special history: a Bonneville speed record setter driven by Don Ricardo; a 300SL racecar; the first alloy-bodied model; the last 300SL coupe built; a fiberglass prototype from the Mercedes-Benz Museum; a 300SL with only 4,000 original miles; and two with unusual factory paint colors (silver violet and light green metallic).

In addition, Mercedes will display the 300SL now owned by Claude Picasso, son of the artist Pablo Picasso. The 300SL "black torpedo" was originally owned by renowned photographer David Douglas Duncan, a friend of the artist. Picasso did not have a driver's license but was intrigued by Duncan's 300SL and liked to be photographed in it. He even toyed with the idea of casting the car in bronze. After 40 years of ownership, Duncan gave his 300SL to Picasso's son Claude to ensure that it would remain "within the family."

Mercedes-Benz will highlight its prewar models with an exhibition that includes 540K Coupe, Cabriolet and Special Roadster models. The 540K is considered one of the ultimate prewar automobiles.

Called " ... the best concours d'elegance in the history of concours d'elegance," by AutoWeek magazine, Pebble Beach attracts enthusiasts, celebrities and participants from around the world to the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links(R) to gaze at hundreds of the most exotic automobiles ever built.

The Concours has contributed more than $7.5 million to charities throughout the years, including the United Way of Monterey County, Natividad Medical Research Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, Kinship Center, the Wheelchair Foundation and the Pebble Beach Company Foundation. For 2004, the Concours is also working with UNICEF and hopes to raise about $500,000.

Mercedes-Benz traces its foundation to the first motorized vehicles built by Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1886. The first Mercedes car in 1901, designed by Daimler's master engineer Wilhelm Maybach, was considered the first "modern" car. The Mercedes-Benz brand was born with the merger of Daimler and Benz in 1926. The company has been a leading innovator in design, engineering, and safety ever since.

Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA

Created along the lines of the renowned Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach, Germany, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA (http://www.mbusa.com/classic) is the first to be established in the United States by an automotive manufacturer. Via its toll free number -- 1-866-MBCLASSIC (622-5277) -- the Classic Center provides a complete, specialized service for Mercedes-Benz classic vehicles (models twenty years out of production), including parts purchasing assistance and technical information. The Classic Collection, a boutique featuring Mercedes-Benz classic accessories and automobilia, can be reached through the web site or by using the toll free number.

With a move to a California location planned for 2005, Classic Center operations will expand to include the purchase and sale of classic vehicles as well as appraisal and repair services. An inventory of vintage vehicles will be on hand and available for use in recreating the unique Mercedes driving experiences from past years.