1955 Mercedes 300 SL
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MODEL KITS
The 1954-56 Mercedes 300 SL was the first production automobile to utilized the "Gullwing" door design. The two
seater was also the first production car to successfully incorporate fuel injection. It was a sleek and sexy coupe and
helped to bolster Daimler as the world's biggest automotive exporter even during a time when Germany's
population was not exactly riding high.
The 300SL was the road version of their short-lived and successful race car. Mercedes put it into production in
response to an order for 1,000 cars from their U.S. dealers.
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The 300 SL boasted impressive mechanical specification including a 3.0 litre dry sump, fuel injected engine. It was
one of the fastest road cars available. Only Ferrari and Maserati could rival the 140 mph performance of this
sensational motorcar.
Perhaps the best known and most distinctive 300SL feature was the "Gullwing" doors. The driver and passenger
doors were hinged in the center of the roof and were supported by gas struts when opened. This novel door design
required occupants to climb over a wide sill to enter the car.
Other inherent design flaws included the poor ventilation and difficult-to-master handling characteristics. However,
these minor idiosychrosies have not hindered the 300SL from attaining legendary status and being cherished by
enthusiasts as a genuine sports car classic. Production of the Gullwing 300SL was discontinued in 1957 after
1,400 examples had been built.
Minicraft Models, 1501 Commerce Drive, Elgin IL. 60123 USA
Tel: 847-429-9676 E-mail: www.minicraftmodels.com
1
Assemble engine block start-ing by cementstart-ing D(10) to D
(9).
Cement transmission together and to the engine.
E®
Cement plugs 0 ( 1 3 ) in place and the harness F(4) to the valve cover and plug tips. Cement injection manifold E ( 1 1 ) and other parts as shown.
E® E®
E®
D@
Cement 0(12) to D(19) and E(14). Cement E (14) to the engine and complete engine assemb-ly.
Remove supports
:-Cement G ( 1 4 ) and G(13) to frame G ( 1 ) and G
(1) to 8(1). C5 Cement G ( 1 2 ) to the rear axle anddrive shaft G(18). Assemble fue' taik
Cement fuel tank in place. Then the axle
as-sembly.
11
Cement G ( 2 2 ) shocks in place, and vertical frame supports. Place G(9] (see Step 12) on the supports until dry.
Completed frame rear
1
NO CEMENT
Cement G(4) and G(8) to G(9). Cement GU9) and G(20) to the chassis. Then Cement G(9) to the chassis ove' G(6) and G(7). Do not allow cement to touch G(6) or G(7).
Cement battery D(14) to the chassis. Ce-ment G(23) to the rear axle and G(2) over these.
Place teering link GOB) over pins and retain with G(25) by applying a small amount of
cement into the center. Move when dry.
1
B(R
Cement engine to the chassis and drive shaft. Cement radiator D(4) in
Place. Cement frame members G(5).
17
Cement G(21) and G(16) in place and wheel wells B(14)-(13) to the chassis.
I
Cj Assemble exhaust system and^J cement under the chassis.
Cement F ( 1 4 ) to F(3) thr:uc the tire and brake drum Oi3 in place. Four sets req^ red
G@ r
Do not allow cement in hole. Cement in hole D® F(X A21
Place (do not cement) wheels onto the axles and retain with G (26) (cement in hole only). Then cement F(2) hub caps in
place. Assemble two seats and spare wheel.
BLACK
(GRIP ONLY) i *
C®
Cement hand brake F(5) and stick shift F(8) to body interior and complete as shown. Seats and the interior may be painted in matching colors first if you wish.
Place (do not cement) the cockpit on the chassis.
RIGHT DOOR TAPE
Assemble right door. Apply cement sparingly to window edges. Option-paint C(2).
Assemble left door. Option-paint C(3).
LEFT DOOR
BODY
Tape (do not cement) doors to the body.
B® CEMENT
Do not allow ce ment into the grooves
Cement B(5) to the in-side of the roof. Do not allow cement to touch the door hinges.
28
Do not allow ce-ment to touch circled places.
When the cement is dry, remove tape. Doors should open.
^° retain doors in open position, cement F(9) in place (optional).
TAPE B®
31
Tape (do not cement) hood to body.Cement front wheel wells inside the
body. Do not allow cement to ^^^5 Remove the tape from hood touch the inside of the hood.
33
It should open freely.TAPE
NO C E M E N T
34
Cement B(10) over the truck hinges. Do not allow cement to touch the hinge pins.
Tape trunk lid to the body. Do not cement.
Remove tape when cer and trunk should be fr
m
37
dows sparingly and fix insideCement the edges of thewin-the body. /
38
Cement F(15) into the dash-board 6(4) and complete the
dash as shown.
39
'Cement the dashboa'd to t ^ e body, followed by t*ie f •» wall.
F n
Cement front and left side trim in place. Cement rear and right side trim in place.
