In 1957, as the Minsk automobile plant’s design bureau sought to create its own model for the USSR circuit racing championship, the most renowned sports car in the world was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR (W196). Minsk engineers drew inspiration from its image and form to craft a racing car that carried the same aspirational silhouette, aiming to compete at the highest level of Soviet motorsport.
Yet the resemblance between the MAZ-1500 and the 300 SLR was primarily visual. Unlike the Mercedes bonnet and body panels, which used exotic Elektron alloy, the Soviet prototype relied on more accessible materials. The MAZ-1500’s shell was built from BF glue and fiberglass, a pragmatic choice that kept production feasible while still attempting to capture the aggressive lines of its more famous counterpart.
The MAZ prototype carried a curb weight of just 730 kg, roughly 250 kg lighter than the 300 SLR. Ingenious but simple, the powertrain was modest in scale. Attempts to tune the engine with motorcycle carburetors produced a displacement of somewhat over one and a half liters, and even with a range of adjustments the MAZ-1500 managed only about 60 horsepower. Despite the light frame, the performance was defined by restraint, and the car managed a top speed of around 165 km/h—impressive for its weight, yet insufficient to match the fastest rivals on the track.
The racing life of the MAZ-1500 proved brief. Its debut season arrived in 1961, revealing a glaring gap between design prowess and outright speed. Although it led in styling and structural ambition, it fell behind in outright pace. The field was small—only seven cars started the race—and five of them completed the event. The MAZ-1500 crossed the finish line last, a disappointing result that cast a shadow over the project. The Minsk plant’s foray into racing cars did not advance beyond this moment, marking the end of the MAZ-1500’s short, uneven chapter in Soviet motorsport history.
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Notes: The information above reflects reporting from Avto.ru and Behind the Wheel. The race history and vehicle details are presented to give a broader picture of how Soviet engineering approached international-style competition during the era.