Mecum Is Auctioning Off This Mercedes SL Trans Am Racer

Mecum will auction this 1982 Mercedes SL Trans Am racer at their Kissimmee sale in January. Whereas the Michelob-sponsored Mercedes is easily identifiable as an SL, things aren't as simple as they look.

Trans Am racing began in the late 1960s as a method for manufacturers to drive vehicles that were identical to those accessible to the general public. It was a silhouette formula employing purpose-built tube-frame chassis vehicles by the time this Mercedes SL Trans Am competed in the early 1980s.'

A steel spaceframe and a roaring 4.5-liter V8 de-stroked from 5.0-liters to meet the series' capacity restriction are hidden underneath the R107-look fiberglass panels. It was originally equipped with fuel injection, but now sports a pair of Holley carburetors that sit just above the hood line, requiring the use of a big center scoop.

Inside, you'll find a hefty Personal steering wheel, a few gauges, a bucket seat, and a massive Hurst shifter for the manual transmission. Loren St. Lawrence raced the SL in the 1982 season, sharing the field with actor and ace wheelman Paul Newman. This Mercedes SL Trans Am drew a lot of attention, but it was more because of its badge and aesthetic appeal than because of its race skills. 

x

x

x

x

x

x