1955 Mercedes Benz W196 'Silver Arrow' F1 Car

This is a 1:43 diecast model of the championship winning car for the 6th FIA Formula One World Championship season held in the year 1955, driven by Argentinean racing driver, Juan Manuel Fangio (pictured).

This stunning Grand Prix car was powered by a normally aspired 2.5 litre straight eight fitted with desmodromic valves and fuel injection (Mercedes built the first successful Grand Prix car to have fuel injection). Four camshafts operated 16 valves and a five speed gearbox, a distinct advantage to their rivals four speed versions. The chassis employed small diameter tubing in a space frame design while stopping power was supplied by inboard brakes front and rear.

Dubbed the 'Silver Arrow', this name was given by the press to Germany's dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix motor racing cars between 1934 and 1939, and also later applied to the Mercedes-Benz Formula One and sports cars in 1954 and 1955.

Note : A story exists that the origin of the Silver Arrows was accidental. From 1934 onwards a maximum weight limit of 750 kilograms for Grand Prix cars was prescribed. In 1934 the MB team placed its new W25 on the scrutineering scales prior to the Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring, it allegedly recorded 751 kg (1,656 lb). Racing manager Alfred Neubauer and his driver Manfred von Brauchitsch, claimed that they had the idea of scraping all the white paint from the bodywork. The story continues that the next day the shining silver aluminium beneath was exposed and scrutineering was passed. Brauchitsch won the race, the nickname Silver Arrow was born.