Mercedes-Benz Readies Compressor Cars for Mille Miglia 2011

This year’s Mille Miglia event, set to take place from May 11 to 15, will feature three of the legendary Mercedes-Benz compressor cars lined up on the starting grid, among which there will be an SS model and an SSK model that will commemorate Rudolf Caracciola's victory in April 1931.

The company has also revealed that Juan Manuel Fangio’ nephew – who bears the same name – will participate along with Mika Hakkinen in the Mille Miglia for the Mercedes-Benz works team in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR. Driving an identical car with the starting number 658, Juan Manuel Fangio took second place in the 1955 Mille Miglia.

And to mark the 125th anniversary of the motor car, the company will also be exhibiting two vehicles that span that period from 1886 to 2011 in the centre of Brescia: a replica of the motor car patented by Carl Benz as well as the Mercedes-Benz F 800 research vehicle.

Former Formula 1 driver Jochen Mass and 15-times motorcycling world champion Giacomo Agostini will be behind the wheel of an SS. Racing drivers Bernd Maylander and Roland Asch will take part in an SLS AMG. Five-times German Touring Car (DTM) champion Bernd Schneider will be driving a 300 SL (W 198), as is the racing driver Klaus Ludwig.

Another racing car lining up at the start will be a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 194 model series) from 1952 – the car in which Rudolf Caracciola took fourth place in the 1952 Mille Miglia. Finally, the brand will also be represented by eleven Mercedes-Benz 300 SL cars (W 198 model series), as well as a 220 model (W 180) and a 180 D model (W 120).