The Last Blast Through London In A Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR to Honour Sir Stirling Moss
The Last Blast in the # 722 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR is a fitting tribute to Sir Stirling Moss, one of the greatest racing drivers ever. And a tribute to something of an urban legend, except there’s some truth to it.
The story goes something like this;
“Who do you think you are? Stirling Moss?”
The words uttered by a policeman who witnessed a somewhat daring overtake on the streets of London. “Yes sir, I am” was the rather honest reply.
As part of a farewell tour, the famous Silver Arrow took to the streets of London in a short film by Mercedes-Benz Classic. A police motorcyclist takes the driver to task over some over enthusiastic manoeuvres. The car, no stranger to being driven in such a way is the very same one that won the Mille Miglia back in 1955.
Moss Passed away aged 90 at his London home, where he lived for more than 60 years and it seemed right to pay tribute to the man in his home with this very special car.
Moss Passed away aged 90 at his London home, where he lived for more than 60 years and it seemed right to pay tribute to the man in his home with this very special car.
The filming took place at the end of September 2021, London being somewhere that the car had never been driven before.
The Silver Arrow is famous in its own right and stars in the film. Sadly, the other star wasn’t there, the one who had driven the car to victory with navigator Denis Jenkinson. The victory for Mercedes-Benz in the 1955 road race from Brescia to Rome and back was hugely significant and established Moss as a serious sports car racer.
Having the SLR and its straight eight engine howl across central London was purely to honour Moss before the car retires to the museum permanently in Stuttgart.
Three and a half minutes of film is the result of a Sunday morning drive. Starting at The Temple, passing the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, the Royal Automobile Club and the Ritz Hotel. Sir Stirling’s own 300 SL Gullwing, which he used to travel from London to Italy for the Mille Miglia, is passed on the way.
The drive finishes outsode Moss’ home in a nice quiet Mayfair mews. His son Elliot Moss stands at the entrance to the house and checks the time on the watch which was worn by his father. the time is 7:22 am, the starting time of Moss and Jenkins Mille Miglia entry and the reason for the car’s racing number.
Sir Stirling spent decades with Mercedes-Benz and the Classic department felt it was right to make a special film to celebrate this.
But it wasn’t just as simple as sticking a camera to a car and heading out. Mercedes-Benz Classic took it very seriously and a lot of planning was done. Not just for the quality of the work but to ensure that many references to his life were captured on the route.
Some 50 cast and crew were used, with eight police motorcycle outriders on duty. IMP Media Limited and Samuelson Wylie Associates with their Hollywood action experience were called upon to ensure the right production values were met and the helicopter shots were from the team used in James Bond films.
As part of the farewell tour this year, 2021, the SLR has made appearances at the Festival of Speed, the British Grand Prix and the Goodwood Revival.
If you missed it, you can see The Last Blast and a behind the scenes extra below.
The Last Blast - Video
The Last Blast - Behind The Scenes Filming
Latest Articles
Top Articles
Ford Motor Company Bring Back Group 5 Mk1 Escort & Group B RS200 With The Help Of Boreham Motorworks
Ford have granted a licence to Boreham Motorworks, a division of the DVRN Automotive Group, to produce new versions of not just the Mk1 Escort
The VW Golf At 50 Years Old
Europe’s number 1 selling car the VW Golf has reached 50 years old this year, starting production on the 29th of March 1974. In
Ford’s Heritage Vault Makes The Ford Times Magazine Available To The Public
Ford’s expansion through the early 20th century was something to behold, the rapid growth of the company and the success of the Model T led
The Audi 50 At 50, Germany’s First Small Car
The Audi 50 that was the basis for the VW Polo is now 50. The small car was developed ahead of the oil crisis of
The Best Things Happen In An English Shed, Especially The Tyrrell Shed At Goodwood
The Tyrrell Shed once home of the World Championship winning Tyrrell Formula 1 team has been relocated to Goodwood and is set to open for
A 1973 Ferrari 246 Dino From The Manager Of Rock Legends Led Zeppelin Sold At Auction
Something of a piece of rock and roll history went for sale with the auction of Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant’s old Ferrari 246 Dino