1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Chassis No. 198.0404500061 Engine No. 198. 9804500060

Correct Matching Numbers: UK Registration: Early Production Series

A true classic motorcar that has had star quality from day one. There has never been a time when a Mercedes-Benz Gullwing has failed to turn heads and been admired as probably the “finest classic car of all time!”.

Without doubt, those ‘”Gullwing Doors” are totally responsible for the cars total admiration. When the world first saw Hermann Lang climbing out of his car after winning Le Mans in 1952, they could not have created a greater sensation than anything else in motoring history. In fact, those doors were merely an expedient because the 300SL’s true spaceframe chassis and high sills necessitated hinging the doors on the roof. Such was the stir they caused, however, that the organisers of the Mille Miglia (where 300SLs took second and fourth) tried to ban them!

The “SL” moniker (translated to English as Sport Light) reflected the pioneering use of a welded, tubular-steel, ultra-light frame construction that weighed only 182 pounds. The car also featured fully independent suspension in addition to its fuel-injected, 3.0-litre OHC straight-six engine with dry-sump lubrication. The engine was inclined to the side in order to reduce the height of the front end.

The power was rated at 215 brake horsepower at 5,800 rpm (DIN) and delivered through a four-speed manual gearbox. A 161-mph top speed and 0–60 acceleration of approximately eight seconds, depending on the rear-end ratio selected from five options, made the 300 SL the fastest production automobile of its time.

The 300 SL in its day was also raced and piloted by some of the world leading racing drivers and without doubt the number one driver associated with the car was of course, Sir Stirling Moss, who holds the “forever” course record for his famous Mille Miglia finish in 1955. It all added to the romance of a car that seemed destined to become a legend the moment production began of the “Gullwing”. The car has all the right ingredients to make these models the most incredible classic cars of all time!

Our 300SL offered for sale is recorded in the Gullwing Group Registry as having been originally delivered to the USA on the 8th November 1954 to Wisconsin and supplied to a Mr. Kiekhἃfer. Originally commissioned to be built in White, the car is now finished in the most desirable and highly sought-after colour combination of the 300SL in Silver Grey Metallic with Red Hide and the added benefit of fitted luggage.

The motorcar has just completed a fresh comprehensive safety-check and MOT carried out by one of the UK leading 300SL specialists.

No serious classic car collection is ever complete without the most legendary modern sports car of all times; a Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing!