MILLION DOLLAR BABIES

Although not contemporaries, the Aston 300SL and Martin DB5, Mercedes-Benz Ferrari 275GTB represent the finalists in the search for the ultimate super-GT

- TON ROKS

It's a summer evening to dream of Zandvoort is at our disposal until sunset, and three silver fantasy machines wait in the pitlane of the famous Dutch track: Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Ferrari 275 GTB and Aston Martin DB5. The latter two represent the crème de la crème of the mid-'60s, the first is a superstar of the '50s, and we've already covered many road miles in all three to get to the circuit, thanks to a generous collector who thought it was time his showpieces stretched their legs.

In the 1960s, a 300SL would never have been subjected to a comparison with a 275GTB and a DB5. It had been out of production for half a decade by the time those two direct competitors came on to the market, but today the cards are stacked rather differently. All three of these cars are now blue-chip exotics, and their dates of birth hardly matter to an enthusiast who can easily shell out a million or more for a classic toy. The more pertinent question is which of the three appeals most as a driving machine.

With great memories of an epic Gullwing road trip years ago still fresh in the mind, I don't hesitate when asked which car I want to drive first. Getting into this 1954 300SL feels very familiar, but I'd forgotten how huge the steering wheel is - at a lap-encroaching 42cm diameter.

The cockpit is cosy: the Mercedes is the widest of our three cars, but interior space is restricted by the high, wide sills needed to accommodate the 300SL's tubular spaceframe construction.