1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe

This 300SL Coupe was purchased new from dealer Heinz Zegke of Spokane, Washington, by Ed Atchinson. It was then sold to a doctor in Great Falls, Montana. It would remain in his care of only a short period of time before it was sold to Mr. Waldenberg of Great Falls, who also kept it for a short time. It was sold, now showing about 20,000 miles on the odometer, to Mr. Curt Hanson of Portland, Oregon, in July 1966. It would remain in storage from 1977 until November 1981. When it was brought out of storage, it was given a full restoration, which was completed in July 1982. From there, it was used very sparingly and shown at a few events where it was always trailered. It is a multiple-award winner including a Best of Show honors that it earned at the 1982 Olympia Concours d'Elegance and the 1982 Chico Concours d'Elegance. It came in second at the 1984 Forest Grove Concours. It won its class between 1982 and 1984 at the Modesto, Hillsborough, OSU Corvallis and Forest Grove Concours events. It was given a 'Distance Trophy' at the 1982 Oakland Invitational Concours and a People's Choice Award in 1983 at the Exotic Sports Car Show in Portland, Oregon.

It was later shipped to Switzerland, where it became part of an automotive collection and museum and did not see any road use for the next fifteen years. The present owner purchased the car twelve years ago and shipped it to London. Since that time, it has been stripped down, repainted and brought back to concours-quality condition. It is finished in white and has a red leather interior. Over the past decade, it has accumulated a mere 1,000 miles.

There were just 867 300SL Coupes built in 1955 and few remain in modern times. This example is powered by a six-cylinder engine that displaces 2996cc and produces 215 horsepower. There is a four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel drum brakes.

In 2009, this Dual-Ghia Convertible was offered for sale at the Automobiles of Amelia Island auction presented by RM Auctions. It was expected to sell for $475,000 - $550,000. Bidding reached $375,000 but failed to satisfy the car's reserve. The lot was left unsold.

By Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2009