Karl Kling, Mercedes W196. Photo: courtesy of Chris Bayley Automobilia (www.chrisbayleyautomobilia.co.uk)
Lost in the sands of time for nearly 60 years a photographic collection has recently been unearthed by Automotive Collector Chris Bayley. These original photos, which are believed not to have ever been previously published, transport us back to the 1954 German GP. The race—held at the Nürburgring on the tortuous Nordschleife with its 14.2-mile length and many arduous turns—was a watershed moment in German motor racing history, as for the first time since the cessation of the hostilities of World War II, German machinery was able to challenge for a World Championship Grand Prix on home soil.
Photo: courtesy of Chris Bayley Automobilia (www.chrisbayleyautomobilia.co.uk)
Weeks before the German race, the debutant streamlined cars had glistened in the French sunshine at Reims as they overwhelmed the opposition. Fangio and Kling had duelled lap after lap, finishing line astern a whole lap of over five miles ahead of their nearest challengers, with the Argentine maestro taking the flag closely followed by the German legend. Manzon in the Ferrari and Bira in the Maserati took 3rd and 4th respectively.
