N° 320 Leiner / Nodel on Mercedes 220. Rallye Monte Carlo 1953. To prevent the competitors from taking the timekeepers by surprise and passing without being spotted the organisers decided to paint the front wings of the cars white with washable paint. This enabled the officials to identify hem a long way off even if their rally plates were not easily risible because of dirt or their position on the car. (Louche p. 118)

At the 1953 Rallye Monte-Carlo, the crew of Leiner and Nodel sit in their Mercedes 220, awaiting the start of a nighttime stage. An official holds a striped flag aloft, poised to send car number 320 on its way as its headlights and spotlights pierce the darkness. To help timekeepers identify competitors from afar, organisers painted the cars’ front wings with washable white paint, a distinctive feature visible on the Mercedes as it rests behind the starting line.

Keywords:

Cars, Racing, Rallye

Filename:

rallye1953_159c_300_1.jpg

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