Mercedes-Benz celebrates 1955 Mille Miglia triumph at 2025 event

Mercedes-Benz revisits its 1955 Mille Miglia legacy with historic cars, AMG PureSpeed debut, and new Classic Partners in Italy during the 2025 edition.

Mercedes-Benz marked the 70th anniversary of its iconic Mille Miglia victory in spectacular fashion — by returning to the roads of Italy with the very cars that once etched the brand’s name into motorsport history. At the centennial 1000 Miglia, held from June 17 to 21, 2025, the brand showcased rare vehicles and highlighted its rich heritage while embracing cutting-edge technology and digital innovation.

The spotlight was on the legendary Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR “722”, the car that Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson drove to victory in 1955 with a record-setting time of 10 hours, 7 minutes, and 48 seconds. Averaging 157.6 km/h, their performance wasn’t just fast — it was groundbreaking. This year, Marcus Breitschwerdt, head of Mercedes-Benz Heritage, drove the same car over the starting ramp in Brescia, accompanied by Stirling Elliot Moss, the son of Sir Stirling Moss, bridging past and present in a powerful tribute.

Alongside “722”, the public saw the 300 SL Coupé in its original racing livery and the diesel-powered 180 D, both of which secured podium finishes in their respective classes in 1955. All vehicles, including customer cars, were meticulously maintained by Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre specialists before and during the event.

The occasion also introduced a forward-looking chapter: Mercedes-AMG presented the PureSpeed — a roadster limited to 250 units, inspired by historic race cars. With no roof or windscreen and equipped with a Formula 1-style HALO safety system, the car connects tradition with technology. Its aerodynamic cowls evoke the silhouette of the 300 SLR, and its design is unapologetically focused on raw driving emotion.

Technology enriched the celebration: at the Roarington stand, visitors could virtually race a 300 SL through a digital Mille Miglia, thanks to a simulator created by The Classic Car Trust, a close partner of Mercedes-Benz in preserving automotive history.

On the eve of the race, Mercedes-Benz formally introduced its first Classic Partner centers in Italy — Bonera in Brescia and Rossi in Perugia — a milestone in expanding the global network dedicated to servicing and restoring classic vehicles.

Meanwhile, the SLR.CLUB organized a commemorative tour tracing the 1955 race route. Participants included several rare Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren models, notably the open-top Stirling Moss edition from 2009, underscoring the living legacy of that remarkable year.

At this year’s Mille Miglia, the intersection of memory and innovation made clear that for Mercedes-Benz, motorsport is more than just history — it’s a vital strand of the brand’s DNA, carried forward with the same passion as seventy years ago.