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The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was introduced in 1954 as a two-seat sports coupe with distinctive gullwing doors and later offered as an open roadster.
This model was based on the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300SL type W194 racecar. New York importer Max Hoffman suggested the idea of a toned-down W194 tailored to affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming American market. It was introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show. The '300' in its name refers to the 3.0L straight six-cylinder engine, and 'SL' stands for 'Sport Leicht' (Sport Light). Just 1,400 examples of this coupe were built, with a costly and complex tubular space frame. This frame necessitated a high entry point, an engineering challenge met with the now-famous gullwing doors.
Aside from the doors, the 300SL was best known for the first-ever direct fuel injection on a production car, and the world's fastest top speed. The coupe was available from March 1955 to 1957, the roadster from 1957 to 1963. The engine produces 212 horsepower, and features a SOHC mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The front suspension is a double wishbone with coil springs, and a high pivot swing axle is in the rear. Drum brakes are on four wheels.
This example was originally built in January of 1955. It is a meticulously restored example, completed in the correct colors. It features factory-installed Rudge 'knock off' wheels, leather interior, and a Becker 'Mexico' automatic radio.
This model was based on the 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300SL type W194 racecar. New York importer Max Hoffman suggested the idea of a toned-down W194 tailored to affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming American market. It was introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show. The '300' in its name refers to the 3.0L straight six-cylinder engine, and 'SL' stands for 'Sport Leicht' (Sport Light). Just 1,400 examples of this coupe were built, with a costly and complex tubular space frame. This frame necessitated a high entry point, an engineering challenge met with the now-famous gullwing doors.
Aside from the doors, the 300SL was best known for the first-ever direct fuel injection on a production car, and the world's fastest top speed. The coupe was available from March 1955 to 1957, the roadster from 1957 to 1963. The engine produces 212 horsepower, and features a SOHC mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The front suspension is a double wishbone with coil springs, and a high pivot swing axle is in the rear. Drum brakes are on four wheels.
This example was originally built in January of 1955. It is a meticulously restored example, completed in the correct colors. It features factory-installed Rudge 'knock off' wheels, leather interior, and a Becker 'Mexico' automatic radio.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
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 | |
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 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 Chassis#: 198.040.5500693 Sold for USD$2,040,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.5500243 Sold for USD$1,710,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing Chassis#: 198.043.5500332 Sold for USD$6,825,000 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 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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500681 | 2024 RM Sothebys : Dare to Dream | $1,600,000 | $2,000,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500753 | 2024 RM Sothebys : Arizona | $1,500,000 | $1,700,000 | |
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING | 198.040.5500454 | 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,300,000 | $1,500,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500629 | 2023 RM Sothebys : Sealed Bid (November 17) | |||
1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING COUPE | 198.040.5500099 | 2020 Bonhams : Quail Motorcar Auction | $1,200,000 | $1,350,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500457 | 2020 Gooding & Company : Geared Online | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500553 | 2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Custom Gullwing Coupe | 1S9GR11T078879005 | 2019 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 Coupé | 198.040-55 00295 | 2019 Bonhams : The Bonmont Sale | $1,100,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500156 | 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,500,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500154 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500799 | 2018 RM Sothebys : London | $950,000 | $1,250,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 1980405500154 | 2018 Mecum : Monterey | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,400,000 |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500626 | 2017 RM Sotheby's : Arizona Auction | $1,350,000 | $1,500,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé | 00810 | 2015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Sportabteilung Gullwing | 198.040.5500640 | 2015 RM Sotheby's NY Auction : Driven By Distruption | $5,000,000 | $7,000,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 198.040-5500129 | 2015 Historics at Brookland | $925,000 | $1,125,000 | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing | 198.043.5500786 | 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | $5,500,000 | $6,500,000 | |
1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL papillon | 198.040.5500278 | 2015 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 Gullwing | 198.040.5500674 | 2013 RM Auctions Amelia Island | $910,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,250,000 |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy Gullwing | 198.043-5500786 | 2012 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 Coupe | 1980404500032 | 2010 RM Auctions Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook | $460,000 | $475,000 | $575,000 |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | GW1006 | 2009 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 |
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1963 ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER CLOUD III DROPHEAD COUPÉ ADAPTATION BY H.J. MULLINER Chassis#:LSDW221 Sold for $1,133,092 2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance | |
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1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy Chassis#:2167 Sold for $1,132,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
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1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Pininfarina Coupé Chassis#:1625 Sold for $1,130,921 2018 Bonhams : Zoute Sale | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#:198.040.6500143 Sold for $1,127,500 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1930 Packard 734 Speedster Phaeton Chassis#:184065 Sold for $1,127,500 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
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1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#:RD80428500215 Sold for $1,130,446 2018 Silverstone Auctions : Silverstone Classic Sale | |
1956 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Coachwork by Carrozzeria Boano Chassis#:0543GT Sold for $1,133,000 2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
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