- Stunning bare metal freshening performed by Rudi & Company Motorwerks
- An early production example; just the 99th built
- Retains its numbers-matching Bosch fuel-injected engine
- Complete with custom matching fitted luggage, tool roll kit, and spare tire
- Considered one of the most iconic and collectable automobiles ever produced
LOT 651
Selling on Saturday Evening
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
The word legendary is often thrown around too loosely in today's fast-paced world-used to describe cars that have yet to prove their place in history. But the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing has unquestionably and undoubtedly earned that title. It stands not only as a marvel of engineering but as a rolling sculpture, exuding an aura of innovation and elegance that continues to ignite passion and reverence in enthusiasts and onlookers of all generations.
Introduced in 1954, the 300SL was born directly from the racetrack. Its DNA came from the W194 race car, which had already proven itself in events like Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana. Mercedes took that competitive pedigree and refined it into a road car unlike any the world had seen. The result was astonishing: the first production car with direct fuel injection, a 3.0-litre straight-six engine producing 215 horsepower, and a top speed of up to 160 mph-making it the fastest production car of its time. Its innovative tubular spaceframe chassis allowed for a lightweight structure but required high side sills-leading to the creation of its most iconic feature: the upward-opening "gullwing" doors. These weren't just visually striking; they were a direct result of engineering necessity, a perfect marriage of form and function. Only 1,400 coupes were built between 1954 and 1957, adding rarity to its allure. The 300SL was favored by celebrities, racers, and industrialists alike, quickly becoming a symbol of refined performance and continental glamour.
An early legendary example, as just the 99th 300SL Gullwing produced, this 300SL was sold new in March of 1955 in New York and believed to be sold through Hoffman's Park Avenue dealership and delivered new in DB180 Silver Metallic over a L-1 Gabardine Blue Plaid seats. After its delivery, known history of this Gullwing starts on the West Coast, in California, where it was owned by Carl de Bickere and then John W. Hamilton of Newport Beach. In the late 1980s, early 1990s, this example was the recipient of a frame-up restoration which included going through the drivetrain. The next owner would be Daniel Eaton of Paradise Valley, Arizona, in 1996, which would lead to its long-term private owner acquiring this example in 1999. Under his care for a few years, he then decided to entrust noted Mercedes-Benz engineer Andrew Bach and Kent Bain's Automotive Restorations in Stratford, Connecticut to complete a comprehensive restoration. During this time, it was noted that this example retains a slightly later 1955 gearbox, as it had been swapped at some point in its life, a common practice among these early 300SLs.
Cherishing this example for 20 years, the noted private collector would then sell this 300SL in 2020 to well-known Mercedes-Benz 300SL specialist Tim Quocksister. Under his care, this Mercedes was the recipient of a comprehensive bare metal freshening completed by highly respected Mercedes-Benz experts Rudi & Company Motorwerks in Victoria, British Columbia. A stunning outcome, it was finished in its current black over period-correct green and red plaid seats with green interior panels that it showcases today. After the work was completed, it would make its way into its current, and noted, collector ownership.
Retaining its numbers-matching Bosch fuel-injected engine, which was completely gone through during the aforementioned full restoration, it is important to note that during a recent and extensive drive, a Worldwide Specialist experienced mechanical prowess equal to any other 300SL he's driven. Its strength, handling, and responsiveness make it like a dream to drive making it a welcome addition to various prestigious driving events. Striking in looks and presentation, this 300SL will provide the next owner the opportunity to debut it at shows and concours events around the world.
This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing comes complete with custom matching fitted luggage, a tool roll kit, spare tire, and reproduction instruction manual. Today, this 300SL Gullwing is more than a car-it is a masterpiece. A timeless blend of speed, innovation, and design, it remains one of the most collectable and admired automobiles in the world. Seven decades after its arrival, it continues to define what it truly means to be legendary.
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