Koller’s Vintage Cars
Koller’s vintage cars exhibition presents the entire history of the car in a highly interesting way. 125 years of motoring are brought back to life thanks to exquisite modern classic and vintage cars. Here you can follow the development of the car from the carriage to the modern sports car. As well as cars, there are historic bicycles, motorbikes and tractors on display. There are over 100 exquisite cars from 70 manufacturers on display.
The models on show date from the beginning of car manufacture in 1886. The range also covers models from the 1920s and 30s and classics from the 1950s and 60s, right through to modern classics from the 1970s and 80s. Porsche, Ferrari, Jaguar, Rolls Royce, Mercedes; rare individual models by Bugatti, Hispano Suiza and Packard… These are just some of the renowned industry names whose classic motors can be admired in this unique exhibition.
NEW: The sports car of the century – Mercedes 300SL with gull-wing doors
The legend: Mercedes 300 SL
The Mercedes Benz W198 is the internal type-number of a sports-car by Mercedes Benz. Introduced first in 1954 under “300 SL” this coupe grand tourer was the fastest production car of its day, becoming legendary not only because of its gull-wing doors, but also due to the many famous and well-know people and stars driving it.
The number “300” stands for a tenth of the cubic capacity of the engine in cubic-centimeters. Because the model is based on the successful 1952 racer type W194, the SL 300 was conceived a race car for the street.
The car was presented first in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York. Immediately successful and today iconic, the 300 SL stood alone with its distinctive doors, first-ever production fuel injection, and world’s fastest top speed. The original coupé was available from March 1955 to 1957, the roadster from 1957 to 1963.
Source: wikipedia
Koller’s Vintage Cars’ newest acquisition is the legend of automobile manufacturing, the sports car of the century. 1400 of these cars were built in 1955, with 1100 going to the USA. Because of it’s high price, only a few people were able to afford a Mercedes W 198. Famous people that bought the 300 SL include Juan Perón, Stavros Niarchos, Porfirio Rubirosa, Rob Walker, Juan Manuel Fangio, Herbert von Karajan, Tony Curtis, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Romy Schneider, Clark Gable, Curd Jürgens, Gunter Sachs, Glenn Ford or Horst Buchholz.
After being bought by KR Rudolf Koller, it took 2½ years of work for this rare vehicle to be rebuilt and completely restored by mechanics from the Koller company. Interesting and until now unseen pictures of the restoration work, from frame to finished car, can also be viewed in the museum.
Pictures and further information about the cars and museum can be found at www.koller-oldtimer.at
