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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe

  • Chassis Number: 198.040.5500368
  • Engine Number: 198.980.5500388
  • Body Number: 198.040.5500356
Chassis number 198.040.550368 was completed on May 31, 1955, and delivered as a special order on July 6, 1955, by Max Hoffman's distributors in New York. The car was originally finished in Ivory (DB 608) with an interior in Red (1079) leather, the same color it wears today. It came equipped with chrome Rudge knock-off wheels. The original owner was reportedly Buddy Champlin, the son of Oklahoma oil baron H.H. Champlin. After 28 years, in 1973, Mr. Champlin's 300 SL was listed for sale at $12,000 by the Mercedes-Benz dealership in Tulsa. Mr. David Rogers, a local individual, purchased the car for $10,000. He owned it for a very short time before passing it to Bob Boone, an Oklahoma University student. Boone, in turn, traded the 300 SL to Rennsport Werkstatt, of Tulsa.

Rennsport Werkstatt fitted new pistons, bearings, and chains on the 300 SL, and the valves, water and oil pumps, injection pump, and fuel injectors were all rebuilt. New motor mounts and heating and cooling system pipes were installed, along with a new clutch disc, pressure plate, and throwout bearing. The interior was re-upholstered in NOS factory leather, which was still available in 1974. At the time of the work, the odometer showed approximately 76,400 original miles.

David Jahimiak purchased the car from Rennsport Werkstatt, who owned the car until 1997, when it was acquired at the Door County Gull Wing Group's annual convention by its present owner. During Mr. Jahmiak's two-decade-long ownership, only about 200 miles were added to the odometer.

The car spent nearly six months being re-commissioned, with virtually every mechanical component disassembled and inspected.

Since owning this 300 SL Gullwing, the owner has driven around 20,000 miles. It still has the factory Rudge wheels and original belly pans, as well as its correct trunk mat, tire gauge, tool kit and folio, complete owner's document case with the full set of manuals, official dealer service manual and parts book, jack and wheel chock, and red side-window folios. It has a period-correct Nardi steering wheel, and correct red leather fitted luggage.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014

2014 RM Auctions at Monterey

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,400,000 
Sale Price :
USD $2,530,000

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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