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• LA 2007: 1936 Mercedes-Benz 290 Roadster Special

  Filed under: LA Auto Show , Convertibles , Mercedes Benz Click on the image above to view in high-resolution The SLR wasn't the only attention-grabbing roadster Daimler-Benz had on display at this year's LA show. Sitting front and center in between all the latest machinery from Mercedes was this unique classic, the 290 Special Roadster. On loan from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA, the bright orange convertible was a one-off drophead version of the 290-series flagship sedan that debuted in February 1933 at the Berlin Motor Show. Taking the place in Benz's 30's line-up where the S-Class sits today, the 290 came in short- and long-wheelbase versions (for personal or chauffeured use) and adopted the company's then-new swing axle technology. This convertible is one-of-a-kind, built in 1936. It packs a 68hp 2.8-liter straight six driving through a 3-speed transmission and wrapped in some truly classic sheetmetal that gives you an idea for where the guys at Wiesmann may... Posted Nov 18 2007, 06:12 AM by Autoblog Filed under: Mercedes Benz, Convertibles, mercedes, roadster, Benz, auto, show, LA Auto Show, special, classic, la, los, angeles, salon, motor, 290, orange

• LA 2007: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster in the flesh

  Filed under: LA Auto Show , Convertibles , Supercars , Mercedes Benz It pains us to see a dead horse beaten so rigorously, but the folks at Mercedes have yet to stop. But then, they did paid a lot for that horse. The SLR project that then-Daimler-Benz undertook in partnership with its F1 racing partner, McLaren, never went as well as hoped. Sales were disappointing, and although the car's performance put it into the upper echelons of autodom, it never succeeded at giving its competition a real run for their money. And at half a million bucks, it's a lot of money to run for. Rather than cut their loses, Mercedes and McLaren have opted instead to turn out additional derivations. After the "standard" SLR coupe came the 722, which was widely derided for having ruined the ride with little additional benefit. A racing version, dubbed 722 GT , followed. Rumors circulated long ago that additional body-styles were under consideration - what are they talking about, a shooting brake... Posted Nov 16 2007, 03:34 AM by Autoblog Filed under: Supercars, Mercedes Benz, 2007, Convertibles, debut, 2008, mercedes, roadster, Benz, auto, show, mclaren, LA Auto Show, la, los, angeles, slr