The Warhol Gullwing—The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Depicted In Warhol'S Iconic Cars Series Heads To Auction

October 21, 2022 by RM Sothebys

Used as the inspiration for Warhol's final series Cars, the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL heads to auction through Sotheby's Sealed, RM Sotheby's proprietary online platform

• The exact 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL featured by Andy Warhol in his final series, Cars

• Extensive research by Mercedes-Benz Classic confirms the authenticity of the car and that this exact chassis was used to inspire the iconic series

• No expense was spared in a frame-off restoration with every single component of the 300 SL catalogued down to every nut and bolt

• To be sold by Sotheby's New York during their flagship November contemporary art sales

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing depicted in the iconic Cars series by Andy Warhol will be offered through Sotheby's Sealed from 10–17 November, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a physical asset linked to the legendary artist.

The 'Warhol' Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Coming out of long-term ownership, the 1955 Gullwing had been privately owned for 39 years before BRABUS GmbH purchased the vehicle. Shortly after acquiring the Mercedes, BRABUS discovered that this 300 SL was the vehicle used in Andy Warhol's final series, Cars.

BRABUS has been at the forefront of developing and building high-performance supercars for more than 40 years and uses their expertise to restore classic Mercedes-Benz cars to the highest standard.

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The Restoration

Through extensive research conducted by BRABUS and Mercedes-Benz Classic, the 300 SL was confirmed to be the exact chassis used in the Cars series. The extensive research included a complete vehicle history along with an assessment of the vehicle's authenticity. An exhaustive, no-cost-spared restoration of the 'Warhol 300 SL' was undertaken by BRABUS over the last two years, with over 4,500 hours of labor committed to the world-class restoration.

With perfection in mind, the car was dismantled and catalogued down to every nut and bolt. After the extensive restoration was completed, Classic Data, the leading German classic car expert organization, appraised this 300 SL Gullwing and gave the stunning Mercedes a grade of 'A with new car character'. Outfitted with a stunning combination of silver-grey paint, blue leather interior, and the coveted Rudge wheels, this 300 SL is striking in person and on canvas.

Sotheby's Sealed

Since it's unveiling, Sotheby's Sealed has become an incredibly successful online platform offering some of the world's most significant cars to an exclusive global audience. The proprietary auction system has been used to sell Juan Fangio's personal Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, the fabled white Ferrari Enzo, McLaren F1 chassis no. 059, a 288 GTO Evoluzione, and now the 'Warhol 300 SL'. Interested parties can register to bid HERE.

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About RM Sotheby's

RM Sotheby's is the world's largest collector car auction house by total sales. With over 40 years of proven results in the collector car industry, RM's vertically integrated range of services, from auctions (live and online) and private sales to estate planning and financial services, coupled with an expert team of Car Specialists and an international footprint, provide an unsurpassed level of service to the global collector car market. RM Sotheby's is currently responsible for seven of the top ten most valuable motor cars ever sold at auction.