The only Mercedes powertrain remotely powerful enough was the off-the-shelf 3.0-litre inline-six from the decidedly non-sporting 300 Adenauer sedan. However, mating it with Uhlenhaut’s stillborn 1947 space-frame chassis project would ensure strength and rigidity with significantly less overall weight.
Uhlenhaut laid down the heavy engine at a 50-degree angle, replacing the oil pan with a dry-sump system, allowing a sleek, low hood. The engine acquired unique features, including an oblique cylinder head arrangement and overhead camshafts. He also specified all “glass” would be clear plastic.
