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The production version of the 300 SL Gullwing was introduced at the 1954 New York International Motor Sports Show. 1954 was the first year for the Gullwing and this example carries the S/N 4500016.
This low-slung chassis gave the car strength and lightness ('SL' stands for 'Sport Light') but there was a problem; an essential part of the frame lay right where the door hinge in a conventional car would have been. The solution: put the hinge on the roof and let the door swing up. It was nothing like anything anyone had ever seen before.
This was the first production automobile to employ fuel injection. This car is powered by an overhead-valve, in-line 6-cylinder, 183 cubic inch, (3-liter) engine developing 190 horsepower coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The car is equipped with rack-and-pinion steering, front independent/rear swing axle suspension and 4-wheel finned drum brakes. It has a top speed of 152 mph and will travel from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The car weights 2,869 pounds.
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing was owned by such fans as Elvis Presley and Sophia Loren.
This low-slung chassis gave the car strength and lightness ('SL' stands for 'Sport Light') but there was a problem; an essential part of the frame lay right where the door hinge in a conventional car would have been. The solution: put the hinge on the roof and let the door swing up. It was nothing like anything anyone had ever seen before.
This was the first production automobile to employ fuel injection. This car is powered by an overhead-valve, in-line 6-cylinder, 183 cubic inch, (3-liter) engine developing 190 horsepower coupled to a 4-speed manual transmission. The car is equipped with rack-and-pinion steering, front independent/rear swing axle suspension and 4-wheel finned drum brakes. It has a top speed of 152 mph and will travel from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The car weights 2,869 pounds.
The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing was owned by such fans as Elvis Presley and Sophia Loren.
2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,200,000-USD $1,400,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,358,500
1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
(Data based on Model Year 1954 sales)
| 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis#: 198.040.4500090 Sold for USD$1,600,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction |  |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.4500034 Sold for USD$1,178,638 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Sold for USD$1,089,601 2019 Silverstone - Classic Cars & Competition Cars | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.4500080 Sold for USD$1,380,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey |   |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.4500128 Sold for USD$1,155,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.4500116 Sold for USD$1,358,500 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.4500120 Sold for USD$1,045,000 2016 RM Sotheby's : Monterey |   |
| 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING COUPE Chassis#: 198.040.4500105 Sold for USD$1,166,000 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | |
| 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING COUPE Chassis#: 198.040.4500130 Sold for USD$1,347,500 2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing AMG Chassis#: 198.040.4500125 Sold for USD$1,117,353 2014 RM Auctions : Monaco | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe Sold for USD$871,714 2012 Coys Auction - Monaco 'Legende et Passion' | |
| 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING Chassis#: 4500129 Sold for USD$2,200,000 2012 Barrett-Jackson at Scottsdale, Arizona | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe Chassis#: 1980404500049 Sold for USD$544,500 2011 Automobiles of Arizona by RM Auctions | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL AMG Coupé Chassis#: 1980404500066 Sold for USD$755,416 2009 RM Auctions - Automobiles of London | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Sold for USD$605,000 2008 Gooding & Company | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Sold for USD$365,318 2006 Coys Auction -Grandes Marques - Maastricht | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Sold for USD$209,000 2002 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction |
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé | 198.040.4500049 | 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Members Meeting | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
| 1954 Merecedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 4500024 | 2016 Rick Cole : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,600,000 | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.4500101 | 2016 Gooding & Company : The Scottsdale Auction | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.4500080 | 2015 RM Sotheby's : Monterey | $1,500,000 | $1,800,000 | |
| 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.4500003 | 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | $3,500,000 | $4,500,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $1,058,149 range.
| 1998 RUF BTR Chassis#:W09TD0364WPR06013 Sold for $1,050,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
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| 1937 LAGONDA LG45 RAPIDE Chassis#:12245/G10S Sold for $1,055,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach |   |
| 1936 Hispano-Suiza J12 d'Ieteren Frères Cabriolet Chassis#:13033 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center |   |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:189.010.7500563 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey |   |
| 2020 Ford GT Carbon Series Chassis#:2FAGP9DW8LH100186 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
| 2021 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9DW4MH200013 Sold for $1,050,000 2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island | |
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1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
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1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Vehicle Profiles
