Day 19: Auto museums, the final chapter

We had several things planned for Stuttgart.  However, only one of those was totally safe for the questionable weather we had today: the Mercedes-Benz museum.

Of the three automotive museums we've been to, this one was by far the most exhaustive when it came to the various vehicles on display.  I guess that makes sense given that this is the oldest of the three companies.  Of all the things at the museum, three things in particular stood out for me.

First was the world's first high-speed internal combusion engine developed by Daimler, dubbed the Grandfather Clock due to its shape.  It was fascinating to learn how many different applications were evaluated for this engine from the start.  Anything from a engine powered carriage, motorcycle, train car, and even air ship. 

The next exhibit that stood out was the museum's collection of 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs and 300 SLRs (aka Gullwing roadsters), arguably the most beautiful cars ever produced.  I've heard and read about these for many years, but this was my first chance to get up close to them.  Very impressive.

The last notable car for me was the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 180.  Many years ago, my Dad used to have the latter revision of this car from the late 50s.  Coincidentally, the car they had on display was also black, just like the one I remember from my childhood.  While at this display, I bored Cess with the various small differences I could identify between the original 1955 version of the car versus the one Dad had.

Our hotel was less than 10km away from the Mercedes-Benz museum but it took us about 30 minutes to get there.  Between tricky Stuttgart roads and Friday afternoon rush hour traffic, getting to the hotel was a challenge.  I'm glad to see that there are other cities with traffic just as bad as Toronto.

Mercedes-Benz "riding car" utilizing the Grandfather Clock engine:

Interior of the Mercedes-Benz museum.  This exhibit shows the various 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs and 300 SLRs in addition to the 1955 180:

1955 Mercedes-Benz 180:

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL:

Comments

[Hardeesh]

awesome shots. good lighting and angles. I wonder if you photoshopped these pics or they are originals...would want to know which camera you use.

[Matt]

No real photoshopping, at most just slight adjustments in exposure and contrast. Most of the pictures were taken with either a Canon 5D or a Canon XTi.