Motor racing driver. Born in Geissen near Gera, Germany, Karl Kling was one of the most oustanding members of the Mercedes racing team and raced the glorious Silver Arrows. A former mechanic, he completed a degree in engineering and joined Daimler-Benz as a customer service engineer. Before WW2 he raced Daimler-Benz cars in touring car events. After the War, he raced Veritas sports cars and became two-time German sports car champion. In 1950 he began racing for the works team alongside Fangio and Lang, and he gained 6th and 2nd places. In 1952 he gained outstanding success in a Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' sportscar. He won the Bern Grand Prix and the Carrera Panaamericana in Mexico as well as a 2nd place in the tortuous Mille Miglia. When Daimler-Benz returned to Grand Prix racing in 1954, he finished in 2nd place to Fangio in the French GP, and won the Berlin GP and Swedish GP. In 1956 he took over as head of the motor sports department. He continued into retirement and always actively supported his former team. After the death of his wife, he led a quiet life in his house on the shores of Lake Constance.
Motor racing driver. Born in Geissen near Gera, Germany, Karl Kling was one of the most oustanding members of the Mercedes racing team and raced the glorious Silver Arrows. A former mechanic, he completed a degree in engineering and joined Daimler-Benz as a customer service engineer. Before WW2 he raced Daimler-Benz cars in touring car events. After the War, he raced Veritas sports cars and became two-time German sports car champion. In 1950 he began racing for the works team alongside Fangio and Lang, and he gained 6th and 2nd places. In 1952 he gained outstanding success in a Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' sportscar. He won the Bern Grand Prix and the Carrera Panaamericana in Mexico as well as a 2nd place in the tortuous Mille Miglia. When Daimler-Benz returned to Grand Prix racing in 1954, he finished in 2nd place to Fangio in the French GP, and won the Berlin GP and Swedish GP. In 1956 he took over as head of the motor sports department. He continued into retirement and always actively supported his former team. After the death of his wife, he led a quiet life in his house on the shores of Lake Constance.
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