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The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL claimed 2nd in the Mille Miglia; 1-2-3 in the Berne, Switzerland, Sports Car Race; 1st and 2nd at Le Mans; 1-2-3-4 at the Nürburgring; and 1st and 2nd at La Carrera Panamericana. The success in racing spawned a road going version, complete with fascinating gullwing doors, which were necessitated by the unusual frame design. The engine's carburetors were replaced with a fuel injection system, and the Bosch mechanical unit would be the first for a production car. After the 11 prototype W194s, including the so-called 'Hobel,' were made in all-alloy, the new Karl Wilfert-designed body was largely made of steel. The hood, doors, and trunk lids were made from aluminum. Bumpers with over-riders were given to U.S.-spec cars, but optional for the rest of the world.
The SL had a welded tubular-steel ultra-light frame construction, weighing just 182 pounds. The suspension was a fully independent setup, the engine a 3-liter overhead cam straight six with dry-sump lubrication, and could race from zero-to-sixty in approximately eight seconds.
The 300 SL made its debut in the United States, not in Germany, which was a Mercedes-Benz first. More than 1,000 of the 1,400 cars produced between 1954 and early 1957 where delivered through Hoffman.
In the racing area, it was driven by such legendary drivers as John Fitch, Olivier Gendebien, Paul O'Shea, Prince Metternich, and Sir Stirling Moss.
This particular 300 SL was on display at the 1956 Turin International Automobile Salon. It left the factory finished in Silver Grey Metallic (180), with a special-order red leather interior (1079) and optional Rudge wheels.
In the late 1960s, the car was discovered in West Nyack, New York by Jan Fraser. He eventually sold the car to Dr. Leon Levine, who would keep it for decades. The present owner acquired the car, in whose care it was given a body-on restoration. The car was re-upholstered in blue leather. The car rides on the original Rudge knock-offs with disc wheels.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014
The SL had a welded tubular-steel ultra-light frame construction, weighing just 182 pounds. The suspension was a fully independent setup, the engine a 3-liter overhead cam straight six with dry-sump lubrication, and could race from zero-to-sixty in approximately eight seconds.
The 300 SL made its debut in the United States, not in Germany, which was a Mercedes-Benz first. More than 1,000 of the 1,400 cars produced between 1954 and early 1957 where delivered through Hoffman.
In the racing area, it was driven by such legendary drivers as John Fitch, Olivier Gendebien, Paul O'Shea, Prince Metternich, and Sir Stirling Moss.
This particular 300 SL was on display at the 1956 Turin International Automobile Salon. It left the factory finished in Silver Grey Metallic (180), with a special-order red leather interior (1079) and optional Rudge wheels.
In the late 1960s, the car was discovered in West Nyack, New York by Jan Fraser. He eventually sold the car to Dr. Leon Levine, who would keep it for decades. The present owner acquired the car, in whose care it was given a body-on restoration. The car was re-upholstered in blue leather. The car rides on the original Rudge knock-offs with disc wheels.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014
2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
Sale Price :
USD $1,292,500
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis#: 198.040.6500.176 Sold for USD$1,624,000 2024 Bonhams : Miami | |
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING COUPE Chassis#: 1980406500225 Sold for USD$3,410,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#: 1980406500214 Sold for USD$2,035,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500214 Sold for USD$1,572,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupe Chassis#: 198.040.6500146 Sold for USD$1,930,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis#: 198.040.6500278 Sold for USD$970,631 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis#: 198.040.6500146 Sold for USD$1,737,500 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500044 Sold for USD$1,655,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupe Chassis#: 198.040-6500176 Sold for USD$1,627,500 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500278 Sold for USD$1,325,000 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Sold for USD$1,567,500 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500206 Sold for USD$1,581,250 2019 RM Sothebys : Abu Dhabi | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500143 Sold for USD$1,127,500 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Papillon Chassis#: 198.040 6500180 Sold for USD$1,190,928 2018 Artcurial : LeMans Classic | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500292 Sold for USD$1,077,500 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500174 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' - The 1956 International Sold for USD$1,443,000 2015 Coys Blenheim Palace Summer Sale | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.0406500280 Sold for USD$1,595,000 2014 Rick Cole Auctions : Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#: 1980406500262 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2014 Russo & Steele - Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500052 Sold for USD$1,292,500 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona |
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe | 198.040.5500733 | 2024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | $1,500,000 | $1,700,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.6500206 | 2023 RM Sothebys : London | $1,250,000 | $1,500,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.6500212 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe | 2019 Russo & Steele : Amelia Island | $1,300,000 | $1,500,000 | ||
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Papillon | 1980406500071 | 2017 Artcurial : Retromobile | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 1980406500214 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $1,450,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,200,000 |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.6500280 | 2015 Gooding & Company Arizona | $1,550,000 | $1,850,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500646 | 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 2006 Russo and Steele Auction in Monterey | ||||
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 1980406500273 | 2004 Bonhams Gentlemen's Sale | $400,000 | $450,000 | |
1956 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe | 2003 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | $185,000 | |||
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING COUPE | 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $190,000 | |||
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ GULLWING COUPE | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $250,000 |
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1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
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