Widely regarded as the greatest sportscar of the 1950s, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe, with its iconic gullwing doors, established a precedent for the post-war sportscar. Immediately recognizable, the 300SL set the imagination aflame. It was, in many respects, the ultimate vehicle in which to chauffeur someone around. What about heads of state?
Conceived in 1952, the first iteration of the coupe went on to victory at Le Mans. Rudolf Uhlenhaut realized there was still plenty of room for improvement and he would go to work with Joseph Muller designing a lighter-weight version of the victorious Le Mans car. The result would be the iconic gullwing doors and a shape that would be recognizable the world over for generations to come.
Initially, the car was being developed for racing purposes. However, a decision would be made to build a sports car for the public based upon the techniques and advancements made from motor racing.
The coupe's design was well-founded. First, the SLs would achieve victory at Le Mans and in a number of other races. Then came the 300SLR. Victories at some of the most grueling events in the world only solidified the reputation of the 300 series sports car.
Chassis 0545 would be completed in July of 1955 and finished in Fire Brigade Red, or Feuerwehrrot. With an interior trimmed in red and red plaid cushions, this car was not easily overlooked, just as the 300SL was not a car that could be easily mistaken.
Rare among the gullwing coupes, this particular example was not destined for dealerships in the United States. Instead, the car would make its way to London. Besides the bright interior and exterior finish nearly every aspect of the car would be specially-ordered. This would include instruments in English, different rear axle ratio and other little details.
The car's first owner wouldn't be run-of-the-mill either. In the mid-1950s there was little concern for demographics and reputation with classes. This would be proven when The Right Honourable Lord Terence O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of the Maine became the car's first owner.
Serving in the Irish Guards during World War II and serving as a politician in Northern Ireland afterward, O'Neill was already serving as Prime Minister when he made the purchase.
The car would remain with the Prime Minister for a handful of years before it went on to be sold to a Mr. Lee and then a Mr. Handel. Then, at some point in the 1970s, the Mercedes would make its way to the United States and Los Angeles resident Max Spitznagel. Soon afterward, Friedrich H. Wegener would purchase the coupe. At the time, the car retained its interior and exterior finish. However, the car was in need of some repair. Wegener would never get around to it and the car would sit idle until 2005 when restorer Scott Grundfor obtained the car.
Immediately a full restoration would commence. An exhaustive history file would be created documenting the entire process. Over a year and a half of time and effort would go into nearly every square inch of the car. When completed, the mechanicals of the car would be sorted and the Fire Brigade Red finish would remain.
A great deal of the car remains highly original. The drivetrain, engine and even the plaid seat cushions all remain. Period correct luggage have been added while all of the books, history file, tools and other specific details all help to complete the picture.
Iconic and immediately recognizable, 0545 remains a fine example of the famed Mercedes-Benz. Offered at Bonhams' 2015 Arizona auction, the Mercedes-Benz would be a highlight of the event, eventually earning a sale price of $1,375,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Jeremy McMullen
Conceived in 1952, the first iteration of the coupe went on to victory at Le Mans. Rudolf Uhlenhaut realized there was still plenty of room for improvement and he would go to work with Joseph Muller designing a lighter-weight version of the victorious Le Mans car. The result would be the iconic gullwing doors and a shape that would be recognizable the world over for generations to come.
Initially, the car was being developed for racing purposes. However, a decision would be made to build a sports car for the public based upon the techniques and advancements made from motor racing.
The coupe's design was well-founded. First, the SLs would achieve victory at Le Mans and in a number of other races. Then came the 300SLR. Victories at some of the most grueling events in the world only solidified the reputation of the 300 series sports car.
Chassis 0545 would be completed in July of 1955 and finished in Fire Brigade Red, or Feuerwehrrot. With an interior trimmed in red and red plaid cushions, this car was not easily overlooked, just as the 300SL was not a car that could be easily mistaken.
Rare among the gullwing coupes, this particular example was not destined for dealerships in the United States. Instead, the car would make its way to London. Besides the bright interior and exterior finish nearly every aspect of the car would be specially-ordered. This would include instruments in English, different rear axle ratio and other little details.
The car's first owner wouldn't be run-of-the-mill either. In the mid-1950s there was little concern for demographics and reputation with classes. This would be proven when The Right Honourable Lord Terence O'Neill, Baron O'Neill of the Maine became the car's first owner.
Serving in the Irish Guards during World War II and serving as a politician in Northern Ireland afterward, O'Neill was already serving as Prime Minister when he made the purchase.
The car would remain with the Prime Minister for a handful of years before it went on to be sold to a Mr. Lee and then a Mr. Handel. Then, at some point in the 1970s, the Mercedes would make its way to the United States and Los Angeles resident Max Spitznagel. Soon afterward, Friedrich H. Wegener would purchase the coupe. At the time, the car retained its interior and exterior finish. However, the car was in need of some repair. Wegener would never get around to it and the car would sit idle until 2005 when restorer Scott Grundfor obtained the car.
Immediately a full restoration would commence. An exhaustive history file would be created documenting the entire process. Over a year and a half of time and effort would go into nearly every square inch of the car. When completed, the mechanicals of the car would be sorted and the Fire Brigade Red finish would remain.
A great deal of the car remains highly original. The drivetrain, engine and even the plaid seat cushions all remain. Period correct luggage have been added while all of the books, history file, tools and other specific details all help to complete the picture.
Iconic and immediately recognizable, 0545 remains a fine example of the famed Mercedes-Benz. Offered at Bonhams' 2015 Arizona auction, the Mercedes-Benz would be a highlight of the event, eventually earning a sale price of $1,375,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.By Jeremy McMullen
2015 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,300,000-USD $1,600,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,375,000
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 | |
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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $1,129,643 range.
1977 Tyrrell P34 Chassis#:8 Sold for $1,120,298 2024 RM Sothebys : Monaco | |
1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Coupe By Singer Chassis#:wp0ab2969ls450188 Sold for $1,127,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1932 Duesenberg Model J 'Sweep Panel' Dual-Cowl Phaeton Chassis#:2841 Sold for $1,127,000 2023 Bonhams : Quail | |
1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2135 Sold for $1,132,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1937 Bugatti Type 57C Vanvooren Roadster Chassis#:57742 Sold for $1,132,500 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
1987 Porsche 959 Komfort Chassis#:WPOZZZ95ZHS900041 Sold for $1,123,081 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Cabriolet A by Sindelfingen Chassis#:189391 Sold for $1,132,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1950 Gordini type 18S Chassis#:020S Sold for $1,119,039 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1964 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2247 Sold for $1,132,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
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 | |
2015 Porsche 918 Spyder Chassis#:WP0ZZZ91ZFS800389 Sold for $1,118,700 2021 RM Sothebys : Open Roads February | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy Chassis#:2167 Sold for $1,132,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster with Factory Hardtop Chassis#:198042-10-003245 Sold for $1,133,463 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8 Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS497078 Sold for $1,132,500 2019 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
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 | |
2012 Dallara DW12 Honda Indy Car Chassis#:037 Sold for $1,127,500 2018 Mecum : Monterey | |
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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