This wonderful photo from the Mercedes Benz Classic Center’s Flickr page shows a 1955 Mercedes 300SLR “Uhlenhaut Coupe” as it backfires. This Uhlenhaut coupe was one of only 2 prototypes of the 300SLR racecar with a closed roof, designed by Mercedes motorsport chief Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Due to the infamous Le Mans crash of 1955 in an open-topped 300SLR, Mercedes cancelled its racing program, and Mr. Uhlenhaut was allowed to use one of his aerodynamic coupes as a company car. A backfire occurs when unburnt fuel is ignited by the hot exhaust pipe, to dramatic result. More photos of this beautiful classic below:

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