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The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was introduced in 1954 in New York. The production version could be purchased for a hefty sum of $7,000. This small, nimble sports car was elegant, attractive and fast. The '300' represented the engines displacement of three liters, while the 'SL' denoted 'Sport un Leicht' meaning 'Light'. It was initially introduced as a coupe and the gullwing came a little later as an answer to the cabin-entry problems posed by the car's light tubular frame. The Gullwing version was designed by Rudolf Uhlenhaut. The frame was comprised of a network of many thin tubes that provided incredible strength but weighed a mere 82 kilograms. The entire package, including the spare wheel, tools, and fuel, weighed just 1,295 kilograms. A lighter version was available, made entirely from light alloy, and shaved an additional 80 kilograms from the car's total weight. Only 29 examples are believed to be produced.
This 300SL Gullwing is a matching numbers four-owner from new example originally delivered to Dr. Denton S. Coe of New York. In 1970 it was sold to John Church, of Norwalk, Connecticut. A year later the car was sold to restaurateur and opera singer Neil Zarereli, of North Carolina. It would be retained in his possession for the next 35 years. In 2001 it was sent to Automotive International where it was given a complete restoration, totaling over $75,000. It received a complete mechanical rebuild, which included restoration of the engine, gearbox, and fuel and brake system. In 2005 it was painted in its current black finish.
In 2008 this 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $575,000-$675,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for $535,000 including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2008
This 300SL Gullwing is a matching numbers four-owner from new example originally delivered to Dr. Denton S. Coe of New York. In 1970 it was sold to John Church, of Norwalk, Connecticut. A year later the car was sold to restaurateur and opera singer Neil Zarereli, of North Carolina. It would be retained in his possession for the next 35 years. In 2001 it was sent to Automotive International where it was given a complete restoration, totaling over $75,000. It received a complete mechanical rebuild, which included restoration of the engine, gearbox, and fuel and brake system. In 2005 it was painted in its current black finish.
In 2008 this 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing was brought to RM Auctions 'Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook' where it was estimated to sell for $575,000-$675,000. As bidding came to a close, the lot had been sold for $535,000 including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2008
2008 Vintage Motor Cars of Meadow Brook
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $575,000-USD $675,000
Sale Price :
USD $535,000
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
(Data based on Model Year 1956 sales)
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING COUPE Chassis#: 1980406500225 Sold for USD$3,410,000 2024 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale AZ | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#: 1980406500214 Sold for USD$2,035,000 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500214 Sold for USD$1,572,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupe Chassis#: 198.040.6500146 Sold for USD$1,930,000 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | |
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis#: 198.040.6500278 Sold for USD$970,631 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis#: 198.040.6500146 Sold for USD$1,737,500 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500044 Sold for USD$1,655,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupe Chassis#: 198.040-6500176 Sold for USD$1,627,500 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500278 Sold for USD$1,325,000 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Sold for USD$1,567,500 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500206 Sold for USD$1,581,250 2019 RM Sothebys : Abu Dhabi | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500143 Sold for USD$1,127,500 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Papillon Chassis#: 198.040 6500180 Sold for USD$1,190,928 2018 Artcurial : LeMans Classic | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500292 Sold for USD$1,077,500 2018 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500174 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' - The 1956 International Sold for USD$1,443,000 2015 Coys Blenheim Palace Summer Sale | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.0406500280 Sold for USD$1,595,000 2014 Rick Cole Auctions : Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#: 1980406500262 Sold for USD$1,320,000 2014 Russo & Steele - Monterey | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500052 Sold for USD$1,292,500 2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.6500214 Sold for USD$1,402,500 2014 Gooding & Company - The Scottsdale Auction |
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe | 198.040.5500733 | 2024 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | $1,500,000 | $1,700,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.6500206 | 2023 RM Sothebys : London | $1,250,000 | $1,500,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.6500212 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe | 2019 Russo & Steele : Amelia Island | $1,300,000 | $1,500,000 | ||
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Papillon | 1980406500071 | 2017 Artcurial : Retromobile | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 1980406500214 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $1,450,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,200,000 |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.6500280 | 2015 Gooding & Company Arizona | $1,550,000 | $1,850,000 | |
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 198.040.5500646 | 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing | 2006 Russo and Steele Auction in Monterey | ||||
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 1980406500273 | 2004 Bonhams Gentlemen's Sale | $400,000 | $450,000 | |
1956 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe | 2003 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | $185,000 | |||
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING COUPE | 2002 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $190,000 | |||
1956 MERCEDES-BENZ GULLWING COUPE | 2001 Kruse Auction Auburn, IN | $250,000 |
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1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#:198.042.8500102 Sold for $923,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | ||
2017 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9CW8HH200040 Sold for $923,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona | ||
1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Volante Convertible to Vantage Specification Chassis#:DB6MK2VC/3754/R Sold for $925,362 2019 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | ||
2012 LEXUS LFA NÜRBURGRING EDITION Chassis#:JTHHX8BH5C1000301 Sold for $918,500 2019 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Az. | ||
2005 Porsche Carrera GT Chassis#:WP0CA29815L001274 Sold for $918,500 2018 Gooding & Co. : Amelia Island | ||
2019 CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1 Chassis#: | Sold for $925,000 2018 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Chassis#:198.040.5500771 Sold for $919,600 2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | ||
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1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
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