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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 198.040.5500637
  • Engine Number: 198.980.5500630
Mercedes-Benz produced 1,371 steel-bodied and 29 alloy bodied 300SL Gullwing Coupes between 1954 and 1957.

In 1952, Mercedes-Benz participated in the 2,000-mile road race called the La Carrera Panamericana. 92 entries began the race and by the end, 53 were eliminated. It was an extremely dangerous and grueling adventure. Mercedes-Benz finished in 1-2-3. Unfortunately, John Fitch was disqualified which left Mercedes-Benz with a 1-2 victory. Within a short period of time, Mercedes-Benz received 400 orders for the 155 mph 300SL Gullwing Coupe.

The La Carrera was only the fifth race the 300SLs had entered. The gullwing coupes placed 2nd in the Mille Miglia, 1-2-3 in the Berne, Switzerland Sports Car Race, 1-2 at Le Mans, 1-2-3-4 at the Nürburgring, and 1-2 in Mexico. Since the car had accomplished Mercedes-Benz's vision for the car, the La Carrera was actually an afterthought. They had planned to cease 300SL production before the November race. However, the company's importer in Mexico City and U.S. distributor Max Hoffman in New York, pleaded for an entry.

125 of the first 166 300SLs built in 1954 were sold through Hoffman's New York and Los Angeles dealership. This was the first time a Mercedes was introduced abroad instead of in Germany, making it clear that the United States was the target audience.

In 1954, a Cadillac Eldorado sold new for $5,738. The 300SL retailed for a staggering $6,940, almost 20 percent higher.

After the disaster at Le Mans in 1955, Mercedes-Benz withdrew from racing. Privateers, however, continued to flock to the tracks with their 300SLs, and in many situations, the factory was happy to help them. John Fitch and Olivier Gendebien won their class in the 1955 Mille Miglia, then Gendebien won the Liege-Rome-Liege and Alpine rallies. W.I. Tak won the Tulip Rally, Werner Engle won the European Touring Car Championship, Armando Zampiero won the Italian Sports Car Driver's Championship, and Paul O'Shea won the SCCA's D Production Class in the U.S. In 1956, Prince Metternich finished 6th in the Mille Miglia, Shock and Moll won the Acropolis and Sestriere rallies and the European Rally Championship, Stirling Moss was 2nd in the Tour de France, and Willy Mairesse won the Liege-Rome-Liege race.

This particular 300SL Coupe is a steel bodied, 'matching-numbers' example that was built in August of 1955. It is one of the earliest cars to be fitted with the 'curved' three-pointed star in the grille. The doors, hood, and truck are comprised of aluminum while the rest of the body is made from steel. The engine features a Bosch mechanical fuel injection system, and the engine is canted about 30 degrees to enable the hood line to be brought down.

To make the most of the rear space in the interior of the car, there is fitted luggage. The streamlined belly pans, which assisted the car to its top speed, also serve a function purpose by containing the engine heat.

This example was owned until 1964 by a body shop mechanic at Loeber Mercedes-Benz in Lincolnwood, and then passed to Josef L. Klingler. Klingler campaigned the car in several SCCA vintage events from 1987–1989. Later, Mr. Steven Schultz acquired the Gullwing in 2004. Schultz kept the car until 2012, when he sold it to the present owner.

The car has recently been disassembled and repainted in red. The chrome has been replated. The odometer currently shows 53,943 miles. It has its black leather interior and fitted luggage, and is also equipped with the factory belly pan. There is a Nardi steering wheel, correct Becker Mexico radio, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a four-speed manual gearbox.

In 2013, this car was offered for sale at RM Auctions Scottsdale, Arizona sale. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $847,000 inclusive of buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013

2013 RM Auctions - Arizona

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $800,000-USD $900,000 
Sale Price :
USD $847,000

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Auction Sales

Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

(Data based on Model Year 1955 sales)
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe
Chassis#: 198.040.5500418
Sold for USD$1,545,000
  2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia
 
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING
Chassis#: 198.040.5500666
Sold for USD$1,765,000
  2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Papillon'
Chassis#: 198.040 5500130
Sold for USD$1,539,554
  2024 Artcurial : Retromobile
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.040.5500289
Sold for USD$1,737,500
  2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing image  1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing image  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.040.5500078
Sold for USD$1,466,139
  2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Sold for USD$1,815,000
  2023 Mecum : Glendale
 
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING
Chassis#: 198.040.5500031
Sold for USD$1,737,500
  2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Sold for USD$1,650,000
  2023 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' Coupe
Chassis#: 1980405500263
Sold for USD$1,700,000
  2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
 
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING
Chassis#: 198.040.5500784
Sold for USD$2,040,000
  2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.043.5500786
Sold for USD$5,010,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing image  1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing image  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.040.5500693
Sold for USD$2,040,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.043.5500332
Sold for USD$6,825,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.040.5500243
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
 
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING
Chassis#: 1980405500347
Sold for USD$1,870,000
  2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Sold for USD$2,640,000
  2022 Mecum : Kissimmee
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.040.5500716
Sold for USD$1,277,558
  2021 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz, Switzerland
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
Chassis#: 198.040.5500801
Sold for USD$1,710,000
  2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing image  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#: 198.040.5500533
Sold for USD$1,495,500
  2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection
 
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Papillon
Chassis#: 198 040 5500448
Sold for USD$1,627,360
  2020 Artcurial Motorcars : Monaco
 

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings That Failed To Sell At Auction

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55007532024 RM Sothebys : Arizona $1,500,000$1,700,000
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING198.040.55004542023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $1,300,000$1,500,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55006292023 RM Sothebys : Sealed Bid (November 17)   
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING COUPE198.040.55000992020 Bonhams : Quail Motorcar Auction $1,200,000$1,350,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55004572020 Gooding & Company : Geared Online $1,200,000$1,400,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55005532020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona $1,000,000$1,200,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Custom Gullwing Coupe1S9GR11T0788790052019 Worldwide Auctioneers : Riyadh Auction$1,000,000  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL (W198) Brabus Restoration 2019 Silverstone Riyadh Car Show   
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé198.040-55 002952019 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale $1,100,000$1,400,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55001562019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach $1,500,000$1,800,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55001542019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona $1,200,000$1,400,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55007992018 RM Sothebys : London $950,000$1,250,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing19804055001542018 Mecum : Monterey$1,000,000$1,300,000$1,400,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing198.040.55006262017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction $1,350,000$1,500,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé008102015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale $1,000,000$1,300,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Sportabteilung Gullwing198.040.55006402015 RM Sotheby's NY Auction : Driven By Distruption $5,000,000$7,000,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing198.040-55001292015 Historics at Brookland $925,000$1,125,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing198.043.55007862015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey $5,500,000$6,500,000
1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL papillon198.040.55002782015 Rétromobile by Artcurial Motorcars $1,200,000$1,300,000
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING 2014 Mecum Dallas$1,200,000  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing198.040.55006742013 RM Auctions Amelia Island$910,000$1,000,000$1,250,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing198.043-55007862012 RM Auctions London$2,400,000  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing 2010 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auctions $550,000$650,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe19804045000322010 RM Auctions Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook$460,000$475,000$575,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL GullwingGW10062009 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Houston Classic Auction $125,000$150,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing 2009 Automobiles of Amelia Island$375,000$475,000$550,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe 2009 Collector Cars of Fort Lauderdale$510,000  
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe 2009 Automobiles of Arizona$500,000$600,000$700,000
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing 2006 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction $400,000$500,000
1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing19804355007862004 The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction$770,000$800,000$1,000,000

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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

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