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Mercedes-Benz built just twenty-nine aluminum-bodied Gullwings. This example was ordered new by Rene Wassermann of Basel, Switzerland. Mr. Wasserman ordered his new alloy Gullwing with many special options, including special high-gloss white paint, a red leather interior, a sport suspension, two-piece matching luggage, sealed-beam headlights, and instruments in English. The car was completed on October 5th, 1955. Mr. Wasserman opted to pick the car up himself and drive it back to his home in Switzerland. It is not known when Mr. Wasserman sold the car, but by the early 1960s, it had been exported to the United States and was in the care of its second owner, Jerome Seavey, of Chicago, followed by John K. Scattergood III, a principal at Blenheim Motors, located in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. The next owner, also of Pennsylvania, was Keystone State politician and enthusiast Senator Theodore Newell Wood. He represented the 20th District of Luzerne, Susquehanna, Pike, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in the Pennsylvania State Senate. He also founded the Brynfan Tyddyn Road Races, which were held from 1952 to 1956.
Ownership of the Gullwing later passed through Bill Kontes and Joe Marchetti, before being acquired by Leslie Barth in 1983. Mr. Barth retained the car until 1989. The next owner was Swedish businessman and collector Hans Thulin, who later sold it to a German collector, who commissioned to Kienle Automobiltechnik in Stuttgart, Germany to perform a full restoration. Upon completion, the car was repainted in traditional Mercedes-Benz silver and re-trimmed in its original color of red leather.
The car passed through a few more caretakers before coming into the care of its current owner. Currently, the odometer displays just 2,481 kilometers, presumably since Kienle's restoration.
There were 1,400 steel-bodied examples built, and just 29 alloy-bodied examples. Making this car even rarer are the highly desirable options and accessories, including the Sonderteile engine, sport suspension, Rudge knock-off wheels, and a two-piece luggage set.By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015
Ownership of the Gullwing later passed through Bill Kontes and Joe Marchetti, before being acquired by Leslie Barth in 1983. Mr. Barth retained the car until 1989. The next owner was Swedish businessman and collector Hans Thulin, who later sold it to a German collector, who commissioned to Kienle Automobiltechnik in Stuttgart, Germany to perform a full restoration. Upon completion, the car was repainted in traditional Mercedes-Benz silver and re-trimmed in its original color of red leather.
The car passed through a few more caretakers before coming into the care of its current owner. Currently, the odometer displays just 2,481 kilometers, presumably since Kienle's restoration.
There were 1,400 steel-bodied examples built, and just 29 alloy-bodied examples. Making this car even rarer are the highly desirable options and accessories, including the Sonderteile engine, sport suspension, Rudge knock-off wheels, and a two-piece luggage set.By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2015
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $5,000,000-USD $7,000,000
Sale Price :
USD $5,010,000
2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $5,500,000-USD $6,500,000
Lot was not sold
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
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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 | |
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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 | |
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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