Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
Mercedes-Benz is one of the world's most recognized names; a division of the German company Daimler AG. The brand is known for luxury vehicles, buses, and trucks. The name appeared in 1926 with the merger of the firms of Gottlieb Daimler and Karl Benz. Benz's 1886 Patent-Motorwagen is regarded as the first gasoline-powered automobile.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was the first iteration of today's SL-Class. They were developed for racing in Europe in 1952. The standard production of this car began in 1954 and ended in 1957. Introduced in 1954 at the New York Auto Show, it was a two-seat sports coupe with distinctive gull wing doors and later offered as a roadster. Based on a successful racecar, it was the brainchild of importer Max Hoffman. He suggested a modified model tailored to affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming post-war American market.
The '300' refers to its 3.0 liter straight six-cylinder engine, and 'SL' stands for 'Sport Leicht' (Sport Light). Just 1,400 examples were built. A costly and complex tubular space frame required a high entry point with gull wing doors. The coupe was available from March 1955 to 1957, the roadster from 1957 to 1963. The SOHC engine produces 212 horsepower, the first-ever production direct fuel injection, and a four-speed manual transmission. Front suspension is double wishbone with coil springs, and a high pivot swing axle is in the rear. Drum brakes are on four wheels.
This 1954 300SL Gullwing was produced in November 1954 and is number 155, there were approximately 1,400 built during this period of time.
The current owner has owned this car for 41 years; the car has 50,000 original miles. The car has recently been restored to factory standard using mostly original parts during the restoration process. The car is equipped with a 2996cc Fuel-Injected 6-cylinder engine, generating 240 horsepower. It has a Bird Cage Chromatic Frame, aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid. It is equipped with its original Tredelvac Brake System and the original Knock-Off Lug Wheels and the AM/FM Signal Seeking radio. The original selling price was $5,600 in 1954.
The 300 SL coupe was introduced in 1954 and built until 1957. The roadster version was built from 1957 to 1963.
The coupe was best known for its 'gull wing' or 'butterfly' doors as well as being the first gasoline-powered car equipped with fuel-injection directly into the engine's combustion chamber. The '300' designation refers to the engine size (three liters); the 'SL' stood for 'Sport Leicht' (or Sport Light).
The six-cylinder, 2996cc engine developed 212 horsepower at 5800 RPM. Sports Car International magazine ranked the 300SL among the top five sports cars of all time.
The current owner's father purchased this car in 1967 from a man in Pittsburgh who is believed to have been the original owner. In 2008, the car was completely restored, maintaining its original Rudge wheels and Becker radio.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL was the first iteration of today's SL-Class. They were developed for racing in Europe in 1952. The standard production of this car began in 1954 and ended in 1957. Introduced in 1954 at the New York Auto Show, it was a two-seat sports coupe with distinctive gull wing doors and later offered as a roadster. Based on a successful racecar, it was the brainchild of importer Max Hoffman. He suggested a modified model tailored to affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming post-war American market.
The '300' refers to its 3.0 liter straight six-cylinder engine, and 'SL' stands for 'Sport Leicht' (Sport Light). Just 1,400 examples were built. A costly and complex tubular space frame required a high entry point with gull wing doors. The coupe was available from March 1955 to 1957, the roadster from 1957 to 1963. The SOHC engine produces 212 horsepower, the first-ever production direct fuel injection, and a four-speed manual transmission. Front suspension is double wishbone with coil springs, and a high pivot swing axle is in the rear. Drum brakes are on four wheels.
This 1954 300SL Gullwing was produced in November 1954 and is number 155, there were approximately 1,400 built during this period of time.
The current owner has owned this car for 41 years; the car has 50,000 original miles. The car has recently been restored to factory standard using mostly original parts during the restoration process. The car is equipped with a 2996cc Fuel-Injected 6-cylinder engine, generating 240 horsepower. It has a Bird Cage Chromatic Frame, aluminum doors, hood and trunk lid. It is equipped with its original Tredelvac Brake System and the original Knock-Off Lug Wheels and the AM/FM Signal Seeking radio. The original selling price was $5,600 in 1954.
The 300 SL coupe was introduced in 1954 and built until 1957. The roadster version was built from 1957 to 1963.
The coupe was best known for its 'gull wing' or 'butterfly' doors as well as being the first gasoline-powered car equipped with fuel-injection directly into the engine's combustion chamber. The '300' designation refers to the engine size (three liters); the 'SL' stood for 'Sport Leicht' (or Sport Light).
The six-cylinder, 2996cc engine developed 212 horsepower at 5800 RPM. Sports Car International magazine ranked the 300SL among the top five sports cars of all time.
The current owner's father purchased this car in 1967 from a man in Pittsburgh who is believed to have been the original owner. In 2008, the car was completely restored, maintaining its original Rudge wheels and Becker radio.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
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 | |
2021 Ford GT Carbon Series Sold for $1,055,500 2023 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
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 | |
1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Sedan by LeBaron Sold for $1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
2020 Ford GT Sold for $1,067,000 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2547 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1984 Lamborghini Countach LP5000 S by Bertone Chassis#:ZA9C00500ELA12729 Sold for $1,061,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1930 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron Chassis#:2380 Sold for $1,061,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Drophead Coupe by Lancefield Chassis#:169317 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Lightweight Chassis#:964018 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1966 SHELBY 427 COBRA Chassis#:CSX 3192 Sold for $1,050,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria Chassis#:2474 Sold for $1,066,500 2022 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
1966 Shelby 427 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 3242 Sold for $1,050,000 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | |
1932 Packard Twin Six Individual Custom Convertible Sedan by Dietrich Chassis#:900245 Sold for $1,050,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Continuation Chassis#:S 851001 Sold for $1,050,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1954 Dodge Firearrow II by Ghia Chassis#:9999709 Sold for $1,050,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey |
1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Mercedes-Benz 300 SL model years