The UAE has seen its fair share of rare metal, but this one is different. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, the very machine that defined domination in 1955, arrived for its Gulf debut at the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE. Fans lined up for a glimpse of the Silver Arrow that once charged across Italy with Stirling Moss at the controls and a courage-powered pace note system wired into it by Denis Jenkinson.
For the first time in the region, the 300 SLR rolled under its own power at the start and finish of the rally, then stood proudly at select checkpoints along the route. The UAE already loves a good automotive spectacle, but watching this icon fire up against a backdrop of dunes, skyscrapers, and supercar noise made it feel like motorsport royalty had arrived for a state visit.
1955: The Season Nobody Ever Forgot
Mercedes-Benz Classic used the event to celebrate one of its most absurdly dominant years ever recorded in the sport. In 1955, Juan Manuel Fangio clinched his second Formula One title in the W196 R. The 300 SLR took the World Sports Car Championship. Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson rewrote Mille Miglia history in car number 722 with a record time that still stands.
The same era delivered a class win for John Fitch and Kurt Gessl in the 300 SL “417”. Across continents, the three-pointed star steamrolled everything from touring cars to sports car championships. Mention 1955 to any racing historian, and you usually hear the verbal equivalent of a podium champagne spray.
No Windscreen, Just Pure Racing Heritage
Mercedes-Benz Classic brought a full cast of open-air icons under the cheeky theme “No windscreen, pure racing.” The 190 SL competition variant, the SLR McLaren Stirling Moss from 2009, and the latest Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed joined the 300 SLR across the 1000 Miglia route. With 585 hp from its bi-turbo V8, the PureSpeed feels like a modern salute to the brand’s racing bravado, complete with those signature fairings behind the seats that nod to the original SLR silhouette.
Out on the UAE’s Half Desert Road, with sand sweeping over the tarmac, the whole group looked like they had wandered into a motorsport dream sequence. Add in night driving through Abu Dhabi’s skyline, and the soundtracks became rolling masterclasses in mechanical theatre.
Classic Expertise Expands In The UAE
Ahead of the rally, Mercedes-Benz also introduced the first Classic Partner dealership in the UAE. Gargash Enterprises, a long-established name in the region, is now certified to service and support classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles and supply genuine heritage parts. It signals a stronger commitment to collectors here, many of whom already treat Stuttgart’s icons like family heirlooms.
Heritage Goes Digital With Roarington
Beyond the physical spectacle, Mercedes-Benz Heritage is preparing its future audience. At Collectors’ Week Abu Dhabi, the brand previewed the “417 Legacy Edition” driving simulator created with Roarington. Only seven units will be built, merging the 300 SL “417” aesthetic with state-of-the-art sim tech.
This partnership continues into Roarington Dreamland, a digital ecosystem celebrating automotive culture, where the Mercedes-Benz Digital Museum will soon welcome a global audience. Several legendary cars have already been scanned into the platform, ready to outlive time zones, borders, and even ageing wiring looms.
