Eight Iconic Mercedes-Benz 300SLs to Headline 2024 George Old Car Show
This February, the George Old Car Show in George, Garden Route, is set to host a remarkable gathering of eight original Mercedes-Benz 300SL sports cars. Scheduled for the weekend of February 10-11, 2024, this event marks the largest assembly of 300SLs in South Africa, featuring eight of the nine original series models residing in the country.
The 300SL, dubbed the “Sports Car of the Century” in 2009, will be a significant drawcard for the show, now in its 27th year. Waldo Scribante, chairman of the Southern Cape Old Car Club and organiser of this premier Western Cape classic car event, expressed excitement over the confirmed participation of these extraordinary vehicles.
Highlighting the lineup will be seven Roadster versions of the 300SL and, for the first time, an original Gullwing 300SL Coupé – the sole example in South Africa. Scribante, who owns an extensive collection of classic Mercedes-Benz cars, anticipates the combined display of the Gullwing and Roadsters to be a spectacular sight.
The club feels honoured to showcase eight such rare and valuable Mercedes sports cars, a testament to the George Old Car Show’s reputation in the national classic car community. Intriguingly, the cars originate from various parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, Klerksdorp, Cape Town, and Paarl, with one local entrant from George. This display coincides nearly with the 70th anniversary of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.
Vintage cars and modern classics converge under the George Old Car Show banner, a haven for car enthusiasts. 
A flashback to a previous George Old Car Show with a Mercedes-Benz 300SL taking pride of place at the Merc stand. 
A testament to timeless design, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster captures hearts at the George Old Car Show. 
Behold the elegance of the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, a true icon of classic motoring, at the George Old Car Show. 
This Mercedes-Benz 300SL from Western Cape, complete with its optional hardtop, is a masterpiece of automotive history on display. 
Sleek and timeless, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster from Gauteng graces the 2024 George Old Car Show. 
Car aficionados mingle and marvel at the diverse array of classic beauty at the George Old Car Show. 
A magnificent row of Mercedes classics, from roadsters to saloons, takes centre stage at the George Old Car Show. 
Colourful vintage Volkswagen vans line up, adding a splash of nostalgia to the George Old Car Show 2024. 
A beautifully restored white classic car stands out at the George Old Car Show, a testament to timeless elegance. 
A pristine lineup of vintage cars on display at the George Old Car Show, capturing the spirit of classic car heritage. 
The iconic Mercedes-Benz emblem shines against the South African sun at the George Old Car Show.
A Glimpse into the 300SL’s Motorsport Heritage at the George Old Car Show
The 300SL, with origins tracing back to Mercedes-Benz’s dominance in 1950s international motor racing, debuted at the 1954 New York Auto Show. Derived from the 1952 Carrera Panamericana race car, the 300SL boasted a unique tubular space-frame chassis, integral to its road-going version.
Notably, the Gullwing doors, resembling seagull wings, emerged as a solution to the high door sills of the competition-spec 300SL. This feature, combined with the car’s motorsport DNA, contributed to its iconic status.
The 300SL was revolutionary, housing the world’s first production engine with direct petrol injection, a 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing 179 kW. Depending on the rear axle ratio, it could reach speeds between 235 and 263 km/h, making it the fastest production car of its era.
The 300SL Roadster, launched in 1957, featured a similar mechanical layout but with conventional doors and often a leather interior contrasting with the stainless steel dashboard insert. Both the coupé and roadster versions are celebrated for their low bonnet line and distinctive wheel arch “eyebrows”.
Overall, 1,400 Gullwing coupés and 1,858 roadsters were produced between 1954 and 1963, owned by celebrities like Sophia Loren and Paul Newman.
Event Details:
- Date: February 10-11, 2024
- Venue: Eden Technical High School, Union Street, George
- Times: Saturday, 8 am to 6 pm; Sunday, 8 am to 2 pm
- Expectations: Over 1,000 classic cars
- Tickets: Available on iTickets; discounts for online purchases
- Registration for pre-1985 classic cars: Visit the Southern Cape Old Car Club website
