- Mercedes-Benz Classic presents itself in the United Arab Emirates
- At the exclusive event with the spirit of the Mille Miglia, the brand commemorates the anniversary year of 1955, when it won the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship and the Sports Car World Championship
- “No windscreen, pure racing”: Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, 190 SL racing version, SLR McLaren Stirling Moss and Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed
- New Mercedes-Benz Classic Partner expands the expertise network in the Middle East
- Experience the original virtually: the Mille Miglia class winner 300 SL “417” as a “417 Legacy Edition” simulator from Roarington
Successful premiere in a spectacular landscape: the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sports car (W 196 S) was celebrated by fans at the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE in the United Arab Emirates. It was the first appearance of this outstanding classic from the brand in the Gulf region, with which it has traditionally had close links. The Silver Arrow could be experienced in motion at the start and finish of this exclusive automotive event with the spirit of the classic Mille Miglia, as well as statically at several locations along the route. Under the motto “No windscreen, pure racing”, three other sporting gems from Mercedes-Benz also took part in the event, which was held from 30 November to 4 December 2025. A total of 120 automotive rarities from all over the world participated in the event.
“For decades, the United Arab Emirates and the entire Gulf region have been home to a highly dedicated collectors’ scene for classic cars with the famous star. By expanding our network of Mercedes-Benz Classic Partners, we are further strengthening our brand’s comprehensive offering for customers in the region. It was a highlight of the year for Mercedes-Benz Classic to present such an important vehicle as the 300 SLR in motion to the fans at the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE and at the same time to give a preview of our new digital possibilities in cooperation with Roarington.”
Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH.
Record times for eternity: The outstanding motorsport year 1955
For Mercedes-Benz Classic, the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE in the Middle East was the crowning glory of an anniversary year: the season was characterised by the memory of 1955 – 70 years ago, the racing team from Untertürkeim won all the major championships. Juan Manuel Fangio became world champion for the second time in a row in the then still young Formula 1, driving the W 196 R. The 300 SLR (W 196 S) racing sports car won the World Sports Car Championship. The highlight of the season was the overall victory in the Mille Miglia by Stirling Moss/Denis Jenkinson in the 300 SLR with starting number 722 in a record time that remains unbroken to this day. In the 1,000-mile road race from Brescia to Rome and back, the John Fitch/Kurt Gessl team in the near-standard 300 SL (W 198) with starting number 417 also took the class win and fifth place overall. Other highlights in 1955 with the 300 SL included Werner Engel winning the European Touring Car Championship and Paul O’Shea winning the US Class D Sports Car Championship.
Legendary racing cars meet unique desert landscape and architecture
The 1000 Miglia Experience UAE revives the spirit of the classic Mille Miglia in the Middle East, with its own flair and fascinating routes through several emirates. It is regarded as the largest and most exclusive classic car rally on the Arabian Peninsula. The fifth edition took place in 2025. One of the attractions of this regularity race is the combination of first-class automotive tradition with the spectacular landscape and impressive architecture of the Emirates. Under the motto “No windscreen, pure racing”, Mercedes-Benz Classic presented the many thousands of enthusiasts with the 300 SLR, a 190 SL optimised for racing, an SLR McLaren Stirling Moss and a current Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed (combined energy consumption: 13.7 l/100 km | combined CO₂ emissions: 312 g/km | CO₂ class: G).
The 190 SL (W 121) went into series production in 1955. The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss (Z 199) was produced in 2009 in a small series of 75 units in honour of the British racing driver Sir Stirling Moss. Characteristics: no roof, no windscreen. The current Mercedes-AMG PureSpeed is similarly uncompromising. The vehicle, limited to 250 units, makes reference to historic Mercedes-Benz racing cars and sports cars. The aerodynamic cowls (“scoops”) behind the head restraints are reminiscent of the 300 SLR. Its AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine delivers 430 kW (585 hp). All three sports cars took part in the regularity race.
Expansion of expertise network: New Mercedes-Benz Classic Partner in Dubai
Under the motto “Your star in the best hands”, the first Mercedes-Benz Classic Partner in the United Arab Emirates was presented in the run-up to the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE. The authorised Mercedes-Benz dealer Gargash Enterprise LLC in Dubai was established in 1958 and serves Dubai, Sharjah and the northern Emirates. The new Classic Partner represents the systematic internationalisation of the successful expertise network by Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH. The certified specialist dealerships for servicing classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles are also contacts for the comprehensive range of Mercedes-Benz Classic Genuine Parts.
Unique pictures and videos document the journey of the 300 SLR
The iconic 300 SLR was the first vehicle to roll over the starting ramp at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. The valuable vehicle led the 120 classic cars at the start of the 1000 Miglia Experience UAE. Later, the 300 SLR was exhibited at selected hot spots along the route of the rally and could thus be experienced at close quarters in several Emirates. The traffic authorities opened up the “Half Desert Road” near Dubai as an impressive backdrop for impressive pictures with the 300 SLR and the other classic cars. The tarmac on this road is repeatedly covered by sand dunes. On night-time drives through the sea of lights in Abu Dhabi city centre, the vehicles from the brand with the star also impressed with their elegance and sound. Unique pictures and exciting videos document the journey of the classic racing car from the company’s own vehicle collection in Stuttgart to the Middle East.
A seat behind the wheel of the legendary Mille Miglia-winning Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “417”
In the run-up to the Formula 1 finale in Abu Dhabi (7 December 2025), Sotheby’s hosted Collectors’ Week Abu Dhabi from 2 to 5 December 2025 with an exclusive programme of auctions, masterclasses, panel discussions and exhibitions. At The Classic Car Trust Forum held within this framework and organised by Roarington (www.roarington.com ), vehicle enthusiasts, industry leaders and experts discussed the future of automotive collectibles. Marcus Breitschwerdt, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH, was part of the international panel of experts at the panel discussion “Perspectives from Heritage and Innovation” – how tradition and technology together are redefining culture, collecting and creativity. Roarington combines automotive heritage with cutting-edge technology, creating new opportunities for collectors and ensuring, for example, that iconic vehicles remain relevant and fascinating for future generations. Mercedes-Benz Heritage GmbH is a partner of Roarington.
One joint product is the “417 Legacy Edition” driving simulator, strictly limited to just seven units. It combines the unmistakable look of the 1955 Mille Miglia class winner, the “gullwing” Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “417”, with state-of-the-art simulation technology – for an immersive driving experience that unites the past and present in a unique way. Further information on the “417 Legacy Edition”: http://www.mercedes-benz.com/300sl-simulator
The Roarington Dreamland, which is currently being created, will be a comprehensive digital ecosystem. It sees itself as an innovative platform for a global community of collectors and enthusiasts in a fascinating atmosphere of culture, art, luxury products and classic vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz Digital Museum will be one of the anchor projects to further develop this institution in the digital space for the future. The digital image of the Museum building in Stuttgart is currently being created. In addition, the first famous vehicles from the permanent exhibition have already been digitalised, and others will gradually follow. The integration into Roarington Dreamland will offer a new dimension in presenting Mercedes-Benz Classic.
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