Mille Miglia 1955: Stirling Moss, #722 and the Mercedes 300 SLR
7:22 a.m. in Brescia
On the morning of 1 May 1955, at 7:22, a silver racing car rolled down the start ramp in Brescia. Stirling Moss was at the wheel, journalist Denis Jenkinson beside him as navigator. Their start time became their race number: 722. A little over ten hours later this Mercedes 300 SLR carried the most famous number in motorsport history — and its model is one of CMC's most sought-after pieces today.
The fastest Mille Miglia ever
The Mille Miglia ran over some 1,600 kilometres of public roads from Brescia to Rome and back. Moss and Jenkinson covered it in 10 hours, 7 minutes and 48 seconds — an average of 157.65 km/h. No crew was ever faster, and because the race was stopped in 1957, the record stands forever. Even Mercedes team-mate Juan Manuel Fangio had to give way.
Picture the conditions: the race ran on public roads, through villages and towns, over the Futa and Raticosa passes in the Apennines, past spectators who often stood right at the roadside. A single mistake at 280 km/h could be the end. That Moss covered this course faster than anyone made him a legend overnight — and the 300 SLR a myth.
Part of the success sat on Jenkinson's lap: a roll of hand-written pace notes that he wound on as they drove, passing them to Moss by hand signals — corners, crests, danger points. What is standard in every rally car today was a revolution in 1955.
The Mercedes 300 SLR: a two-seat Formula 1 car
Technically, the 300 SLR (W196S) was a close relative of the W196 Formula 1 winner. Under the bonnet sat an eight-cylinder in-line engine of 2,982 cc, installed at 33 degrees to the right, with desmodromic valve control and direct fuel injection. It made 310 hp at 7,500 rpm and took the car, weighing just 880 kilograms, to around 300 km/h. With it Mercedes also won the 1955 World Sportscar Championship, before the factory withdrew from racing at the end of the season.
The model: CMC M-066 in 1:18
CMC built the Mercedes 300 SLR #722 from more than 1,500 parts. A precisely made metal tubular space frame carries the true-to-scale body in its Mille Miglia racing version. Under the opening engine hood, held by its prop rod, sits the highly detailed eight-cylinder in its angled installation, with all ancillaries, lines and cabling. The spoke wheels on aluminium rims have an individual nipple for every stainless-steel spoke, held by three-eared central locks.
Two details show how seriously CMC takes the history. First, the three-spoke steering wheel Moss used in the race. Second, the right-hand engine service panel: it is off, just as Moss drove the car — the panel is supplied in the box and attaches magnetically for anyone who prefers it closed. The "722" race numbers are tampon-printed.
What collectors should check
The M-066 is one of CMC's "Solitair" models, so not a numbered edition — its appeal comes purely from its history and detail. As CMC no longer supplies it, condition matters: are both differently sized spare wheels present? Is the magnetic service panel included? Is the original box with its foam inserts complete? Our example is new and unused, never displayed, with a near-mint box — the full report is on the product page. If the road version interests you too: CMC has since announced the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, more in our report on CMC's 2026 novelties.
A piece of motorsport for the display case
The 1955 Mille Miglia is more than a race won — it is the moment driver, navigator and engineering fitted together perfectly. CMC's 300 SLR captures exactly that moment. At AMS you buy it in CHF, with an honest grade under our grading system and insured shipping within Switzerland.