SKU: 97333880612

Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner - 1954 French Grand Prix Winner

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Description

Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner - 1954 French Grand Prix WinnerLimited to just 196 pieces As driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1954 French Grand Prix Each model hand built and assembled by a small team of craftsmen 1: 8 scale model, over 50 cms 19 inches long Made using the finest quality materials Over 4500 hours to develop the model Over 400 hours to build each model Thousands of precisely engineered parts: castings, photo etchings and CNC machined metal components Built using original drawings and archive

  • Limited to just 196 pieces
  • As driven by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1954 French Grand Prix
  • Each model hand-built and assembled by a small team of craftsmen
  • 1:8 scale model, over 50 cms/19 inches long
  • Made using the finest quality materials
  • Over 4500 hours to develop the model
  • Over 400 hours to build each model
  • Thousands of precisely engineered parts: castings, photo-etchings and CNC machined metal components
  • Built using original drawings and archive photographs supplied by Mercedes-Benz
  • One of the most dominant cars to have ever raced at the pinnacle of motorsport, the Mercedes-Benz W196 drove its competitors to despair during the 1954 and 1955 Formula 1 seasons in which it was entered, capturing the only two World Championships in which it competed.

    Mercedes had been absent in Grand Prix racing for twenty years, but a combination of new Formula 1 regulations and a thriving economic turnaround in Germany allowed the Silver Arrows to compete once again. Expectations were high; in the past the Mercedes-Benz racing cars were not only the fastest, but also the most technologically advanced; a showcase of the company's advanced technical capabilities. The W196 did not disappoint. Considering the relatively small displacement of 2.5 litres, the team of engineers, headed by Fritz Nallinger and Rudolf Uhlenhautand, chose a surprising and different format for the long straight eight engine, though this risk soon yielded astonishing results.

    The W196 was the first Formula 1 car to use desmodromic valves to allow the significantly smaller engine to rev higher, as well as the first to use a Bosch-developed fuel injection system, which had already been successfully used on the 300SL racing cars. Adapted from the DB 601 high-performance V12 used on the Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighter, the novel fuel injection system allowed for 257 brake horsepower at the time of its debut, rising to 290 bhp at an impressive 8500 rpm after a year of on-track development. Also carried over from the 300SL was the space-frame chassis, which featured an entirely new approach to chassis building, combining light weight with exceptional rigidity. Sparing no expense, the engineers developed a variety of track specific versions of the W196 with three wheelbases and two interchangeable body styles: the ‘Type Monza’ low-drag streamliner body, designed for high-speed circuits, and the more open-wheel configuration, for the more technical, twisty circuits.

    Still busy developing the cars, Mercedes missed the first three races of the 1954 season; the belated debut came at the French Grand Prix in Reims, where the streamlined body was immediately right at home. Racing manager Alfred Neubauer hired the – initially reluctant – superstar Juan Manuel Fangio to partner the German duo of Hans Herrmann and Karl Kling, and it was instantly obvious that the German marque’s approach was too much for the Italian and British specialist manufacturers to match. Fangio helped Mercedes to continue a debut-winning tradition by piloting the W196 to a debut victory, a few metres ahead of Kling, whilst Herrmann posted the fastest lap. The open-wheel variant of the W196 debuted two races later in the team’s home Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, after a tougher race at Silverstone. Fangio again was victorious, and would go on to dominate three races in a row, winning at the Swiss and Italian Grands Prix as well. In a relatively poor showing in the final race in Spain, the Argentinian claimed a podium as he finished the season as the World Champion. While Fangio started the season at Alfa Romeo, winning two races with the Italians, his points tally with the W196 alone would have been enough to win him the World Championship title.

    For 1955, Fangio was joined by a new team-mate, the up-and-coming Stirling Moss, creating a virtually invincible pairing. The Argentine driver started the season on a high by winning his home Grand Prix in soaring temperatures that exhausted most of his opponents. The W196’s lowest moment followed, as it failed to score a single point at Monaco: all three of the entered cars were hampered by reliability problems. Despite the horrifying 1955 Le Mans disaster shortening the Formula 1 season, the W196 completely dominated the remaining four races, finishing first and second in Belgium (Fangio-Moss), the Netherlands (Fangio-Moss) and Italy (Fangio-Taruffi), whilst at the penultimate race in Great Britain, the Mercedes team took a remarkable 1-2-3-4, Moss claiming his first Grand Prix victory ahead of Fangio, Kling and Piero Taruffi. Needless to say, Fangio was crowned champion again with Moss a distant second.

    Shaken by the Le Mans accident, Mercedes-Benz left Grand Prix racing at the end of the season for the third time in their history, retiring their almost invincible car after racing for just one year and two months. Overall, the versatile W196's track record was impressive indeed: nine victories, eight pole positions and nine fastest laps in the twelve Grand Prix races in which it was entered, and, of course, Fangio's world titles in 1954 and 1955. It is widely agreed that the only reason the W196 did not win more titles is that the Manufacturers’ Championship was not introduced until 1958.

    This fine 1:8 scale model is of the Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner as raced to victory by the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio during a gruelling French Grand Prix at Reims on the 4th of July 1954. The race was the W196’s first competitive foray and Mercedes’ first Grand Prix race for twenty years. It was a dominant return as Fangio set the pace averaging 124 mph (200 km/h) during his practice lap. The Argentine and his teammate Karl Kling led the race from the start, driving almost side by side until the end, with their rivals unable to keep pace. With one lap to go, Mercedes finally ordered the duelling drivers to stop their fight to ensure both cars reached the end, Fangio eventually edging out Kling by just 0.1 seconds. It was a historical win for many reasons: it was Mercedes’ and tyre supplier Continental’s first official Formula 1 victory, and the first official race win to be achieved by a non-Italian constructor. Having also emerged victorious at the 1954 and 1955 Italian Grands Prix, the W196 Streamliner remains the only closed wheel car to win a race in Formula 1 history.

    This scale model has been handcrafted and finished in our workshops with the co-operation and assistance of Mercedes-Benz regarding original finishes, materials, archive imagery and drawings. The use of supremely accurate digital scanning of the original car has allowed us to perfectly recreate every detail at scale. Furthermore, it has undergone detailed scrutiny by both Mercedes-Benz’s engineering and design teams to ensure complete accuracy of representation.

    The Mercedes-Benz W196 Streamliner is limited to just 196 pieces.

     

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    Exchange/Return Notes
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    SKU: 97333880612

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    4.1 ★★★★★
    Based on 6 reviews
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    RC
    Battle Creek, US
    ★★★★★ 4
    Difficult to rub in; sweat and water resistant; difficult to wash off
    Style: SPF 50, Size: 5 Ounce (Pack of 3)
    I've used this spray sunscreen off and on for the past two years and have now decided to only use it after a long and sweaty work out at the gym when I drive home. It is much easier to apply onto the skin on sweaty/wet/moist skin than on dry skin. It is difficult to apply and rub in on dry skin. One should carefully apply and use a finger to do so to minimize stretching the skin. The positive about this sunscreen is that it is sweat resistant and will not seep or run into your eyes. It is also water resistant; therefore, it is a good sunscreen to use if you are going swimming. However, this makes it difficult to wash off, even in the shower using a face wash or scrub. I would not recommend this sunscreen for daily use. If you are wearing sunscreen for the purposes of avoiding incidental sun exposure, such as driving to and from places, locally, for fewer than 20-30 minutes, or if you are going for brief walks outside, use a different sunscreen that is friendlier on the skin. I WOULD recommend this sunscreen to anyone that plans on spending prolonged periods of time out in the sun, including being exposed to direct sunlight. If you are planning a day out at the beach, or going out swimming, exercising outdoors for over 30 minutes, taking a long road trip, or planning to do any activity where you will be in direct sunlight, this is a good sunscreen to use. It will leave a white cast, however, I have confidence that it will provide the adequate protection against UVA-1, UVA-2 and UVB radiation to protect your skin.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
    B
    Verified Purchase
    Bethany
    San Leandro, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Good sunscreen
    Style: SPF 50, Size: 5 Ounce (Pack of 1)
    Great alternative to chemical sunscreen, spray is a little patchy and leaves a heavy white residue but that is to be expected. Works well and prevents sunburn so it's a win.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2025
    M
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    Mara
    Draper, US
    ★★★★★ 3
    It works,hard to wash off
    Style: SPF 50, Size: 5 Ounce (Pack of 3)
    It was hard to rub in. It made skin white. I did not like it. I did not get sunburn. It works!
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2026
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    DEK
    Pawtucket, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Great mineral spray sunscreen
    Style: SPF 50, Size: 5 Ounce (Pack of 1)
    Purchased multiple times over the years. Great mineral spray sunscreen for sensitive skin. Does leave a white cast but that’s not a huge deal for us. Nice option for kids with sensory issues that hate goopy sunscreen.
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2025
    R
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    Rebekah Spencer
    Los Angeles, US
    ★★★★★ 5
    Sun protection without the chemicals!
    Style: SPF 50, Size: 5 Ounce (Pack of 3), Style: SPF 50, Size: 5 Ounce (Pack of 3)
    I searched for a long time to find safe sunscreen. Prior to having kids, the ingredients in sunscreen (and many other things) were not a concern. Now, I do my best to make sure that anything going on my kids’ skin is as safe as possible. After hours and hours of searching, I finally found this product. It was more than I wanted to spend, but now that I’ve used it I won’t go back! My sons skin is as light as a sheet of paper and he doesn’t like to wear a shirt, so having great sunscreen is important. I use it for both kids as well as my husband and myself. I do not agree with the reviews stating that this sunscreen is hard to rub in; I find it quite easy! Just bought another pack for this summer!
    WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
    Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2023

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