Rafael Lopez Avila
The Sierra de Caramulo -in the central region of Portugal- was known during the years in which tuberculosis made an impression on society as the largest health stay in the entire Peninsula. The patients came to breathe the "fresh air" from the mountains to sanatoriums specially designated for that purpose.
Today I go up to the mountains to breathe fresh air and also, why not, with a certain smell of gasoline ... here is one of the largest collections "Alive" of vintage vehicles open to the public: Caramulo Museum. And I say alive, because the museum - a must-see - transmits the whole vision of its founder João de Lacerda (1923-2003), since all the exhibited units, some over 120 years old, are in perfect condition of circulation.
It is not uncommon to go up one morning to the museum and find some specimens doing their regular walks and small tunings. This is the spirit of one of the many events organized by the Museum: "O Museu na Rua". Share with fans the passion of its founder for the performance and technique of these cars, and even have the opportunity to ride them.
Today, as a fan, I am already waiting at idle for a brand new '300 Mercedes-Benz 54 SL Gullwing With which, for me, it is one of the most successful combinations for that car: Silver gray with a blue / gray checkered fabric interior (upholstery that by the way the brand has made it available to its customers very recently) .
I had already read a lot about this icon, and in the past I had the opportunity to see it in the old museum of the brand as well as in the current one. But I admit it, it is one of these wonders that when you run into them, they continue to take your breath away.
The street version of the mythical 300 SL (W194) that participated in legendary races such as the Panamericana or the 24h of Le Mans, was a car that Mercedes did not want to make. It was only because the New York-based importer, Max Hoffman, in a meeting with the directors of the Stuttgart company, and as a great connoisseur of the tastes of the American public, convinced them to manufacture it with an order of 1000 units. It is for that reason that almost all the 300 SL Gullwing were on the other side of the pond.
We are already inside. Ricardo is one of João de Lacerda's grandsons, and as a child he grew up among these machines, hence his passion for vintage cars and speed. Drive serene, know this machine well. We begin to climb one of the ramps of the mountain range, the car is round. The 240 hp of its large 3.0 6-cylinder engine powerfully moves the almost 1.300 kg of the Seagull Wings. As usual in the star brand, once inside with the car accelerating and facing some winding corners "With desire" even on a mountain road there are no annoying noises. The build quality is superb.
As we go up to the Cabeço da Neve viewpoint, Ricardo tells me with fascination stories about his grandfather, and about how he participated in up to five editions of the current Thousand Miles (Millie miglia) with the 300 SL Gullwing.
João de Lacerda, traveled the more than 2000 kilometers between Caramulo and Brescia, then participated in the test and returned again by road to Portugal. "He loved it" Ricardo says. "... it is a car that on the highway you can go comfortably at 170-180 km / h without problem ... and you reach 250 km / h, but it is not enough time to go all the time!" he laughs as he makes the zigzagging gesture with one hand.
The Gullwing has a racing build and mechanics, which made the car difficult to drive in the hands of less experienced owners. Maybe that's why he was also nicknamed as the “Widowmaker”Or maker of widows.
"The 300 SL Gull problemwing ... ", Ricardo tells us, “… they were (are) the brakes, which being a drum they have some difficulties in reducing speed quickly ”and of course, the risk of getting caught is there. If the car is not used regularly, with each braking the car decides whether to go one way or the other.
All photos: Rafael López Ávila
Even being an open tour, we had the opportunity to see how the real “estradist”De Mercedes behaves on the climb with the foot fully. I will never forget that feeling.
We finish our walk, and I get out of the car knowing that I fulfilled one of my dreams. It did not disappoint at all. After thanking Ricardo and the friends of the Museu do Caramulo for the opportunity I was looking at the machine that so many times gave me a smile or a "Wow«. The same smile as others "luckyAs I showed when I got out of the car that afternoon. An endearing afternoon in the Sierra de Caramulo that will surely have to be repeated.
