A large-scale exhibition, entitled “World-Class: 100 Years of Mercedes-Benz,” dedicated to the centennial of the Mercedes-Benz brand and the 140th anniversary of Carl Benz’s first car, the Patent-Motorwagen, has opened at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, Jalopnik reports.

The exhibition will run until April 25, 2027 and will feature 42 cars from different eras, as well as rare prototypes, racing cars, archival advertising, and informational materials that tell the story of the company.

Petersen Automotive Museum curator Shervin Nakhjavani noted that the goal of the project is to show Mercedes-Benz not only as a manufacturer of luxury cars, but also as one of the key brands that influenced the development of the entire automotive industry.

Interestingly, only four cars were provided by Mercedes-Benz itself to this exhibition, while the rest came from private collections and museums. The exhibition is structured as a chronological journey, from the earliest developments to modern technologies. Visitors see a replica of the Patent-Motorwagen and the Mercedes Simplex of 1902, as well as early models from the period created after the merger of Daimler and Benz.

Among them, the 1928 Mercedes-Benz S stands out, which is considered one of the brand's first sports cars after the merger of the companies. A separate section is devoted to pre-war engineering thought and luxury cars of the 1930s. Rare Mercedes 540K models are on display, including a convertible built by Erdmann & Rossi for American heiress Barbara Hutton, as well as a rare Autobahnkurier and an experimental Stromlinienwagen for high-speed testing.

These cars demonstrate Mercedes' early emphasis on aerodynamics, engineering sophistication, and individual customization. Racing cars also feature prominently. These include the pre-war Mercedes-Benz W154, one of the most successful racing cars of its time, as well as later and more modern racing cars, including the Sauber C9, the McLaren-Mercedes MP4/20, and the CLK DTM. These exhibits illustrate the brand's development in motorsport and its role in Formula 1 and Group C racing. Of particular interest are road-going prototypes and concepts.

Among them are the early 300SL “Hobel”, which became the forerunner of the legendary Gullwing, the serial 300SL, the rare SLR Stirling Moss without a roof and windshield, as well as the experimental C111 and C112. The latter is considered one of the most perfect Mercedes concepts, which, despite great interest from buyers, never reached serial production. The exhibition also presents cars associated with famous owners and historical figures, including the Mercedes 300Sc Cabriolet commissioned by Clark Gable and the 300SL belonging to the Walt Disney family.

Of particular interest are rare representative models, such as the limited edition Mercedes 600 Pullman Landaulet, intended for heads of state and influential figures.

The exhibition presents the evolution of Mercedes-Benz, from early technical experiments to modern supercars and racing technology. It is structured as a complete historical narrative, showing the development of design, engineering, and brand status over more than a century.

Source: https://news.am/en/news/1037882