Offered from The Tom Scott Collection
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé

• One of only 59 delivered new to the UK
• Matching chassis, engine and registration numbers
• Ordered new with the desirable Rudge knock-off wheels option
• Restored by Daimler-Benz between 1989 and 1992
• Known ownership history and Scott Collection since 2011
• Recently recommissioned by Jim Stokes Workshops Ltd

"When it was first announced by Mercedes-Benz, the production 300 SL Coupé was a startling car built to the German concern's customarily startling standards, but above all what left the general public most open-mouthed about the new car was its upward-opening Gullwing doors...!" - Motors, 1963.

Post-war, Mercedes-Benz had returned to competition in 1952, fielding its new 300 SL (W194) sports cars configured in both open roadster and closed 'gullwing' form – the latter proving the more successful. In that year's Mille Miglia, a pair of gullwings finished a creditable 2nd and 4th overall and this promising start was followed up by victory in the gruelling Carrera Panamericana. For the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in June, a trio of gullwings were entered with a first and second overall sealing the car's world-beating credentials.

Launched in 1954, the production 300 SL retained the spaceframe chassis (the feature that necessitated the gullwing door design) and lightweight aluminium-alloy bodywork of the W194 racer while its mechanical underpinnings, like the latter's, owed much to the contemporary Mercedes-Benz 300 luxury saloon. A 2,996cc overhead-camshaft inline six, the 300 SL's engine was canted at 45 degrees to achieve a low bonnet line and developed to produce 215bhp (DIN) at 5,800rpm using Bosch mechanical fuel injection. A four-speed, all-synchromesh manual gearbox transmitted power to the hypoid bevel rear axle. Suspension was independent all round: by wishbones and coil springs at the front, with swing axles and coil springs at the rear.

A production 300 SL (W198) was tested by Road & Track magazine in 1955, accelerating from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 140mph. Half expecting the long-awaited 300 SL to provide an anti-climax, R&T were delighted to find the new car, 'far beyond our wildest expectations. In fact, we can state unequivocally that in our opinion the 300 SL coupé is the ultimate in an all-round sportscar. It combines more desirable features in one streamlined package than we ever imagined or hoped would be possible. Performance? It accelerates from a dead start to 100mph in just over 17 seconds. Dual purpose? A production model 300 SL can make a very acceptable showing in any type of sportscar competition. Yet the car is extremely tractable and easy to drive in traffic. Comfort? The fully enclosed 300 SL is the most comfortable (and safe) high-speed 'cross-country' car built today.' High praise indeed and, as accolades go, it could not have been any better.

A 300 SL roadster featuring conventional doors followed and was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957. Its racing parentage notwithstanding, the 300 SL remains a thoroughly practical car, as civilised in city traffic as it is exhilarating on the autostrada. By the time 300 SL Coupé production ceased in 1957, some 1,400 examples had found customers.

This magnificent Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is one of only 59 delivered to the UK where they were eagerly snapped up by a veritable 'who's who' of the country's motoring elite such as Rob Walker (F1 team owner), David Brown (Aston Martin proprietor), Earl Howe (BRDC president), King Hussein of Jordan (studying in Britain at the time), R S Wilkins (financier and Brooklands racing driver), Harry Hyams (property magnate) and Daniel de Ferranti (entrepreneur and amateur racer).

Chassis '00152' was ordered by a Mr V D Yates and supplied in April 1955 with the registration '2 DMY'. It is not known how long Mr Yates kept his 300 SL but the car remained in England until the late 1980s when it was acquired by the next owner, a German doctor. At that time Gullwing values were rising rapidly and the owner decided to embark upon a no-expense-spared restoration. This was carried out between 1989 and 1992 at the Daimler-Benz works in Kassel. As an important client the owner was entitled to a special 'trade' reduction of 25% on the cost of these works, but even after this discount the total restoration bill amounted to a heady DM460,000. Copies of these invoices are available for inspection in a specially bound book.

Everything possible was replaced or refurbished including the interior, glass, bonnet and boot lids, brightwork, wings and instruments. The axles, engine, gearbox and other running gear were rebuilt at the Stuttgart works while the radiator, brakes, electrics and rubber seals were also renewed. The body received new silver paintwork, red leather upholstery and matching red carpets in the original material, plus new beige cloth headlining. Even the original loudspeakers were restored. The car's overall appearance is complimented by the optional (and highly attractive) Rudge knock-off wheels that were specified for 2 DMY as new.

This exquisite Gullwing is a car the Bonhams team know well. The immediately preceding owner purchased the 300 SL at the Bonhams & Brooks' Nürburgring Sale in August 2001 (Lot 122) and kept the car for the next ten years. Tom Scott Snr. then purchased the Mercedes at the Bonhams Monaco Sale in May 2011 (Lot 138). At that time it was stated that the 300 SL showed virtually no signs of use, although being started and gently exercised regularly. The odometer had recorded a mere 850 kilometres since the Mercedes-Benz rebuild and, at the time of cataloguing, it is reading just 865 kilometres.

The substantial history file contains copies of previous UK registration documents; copy factory build sheet; old German Fahrzeugbrief; expired MoTs; an original 300 SL Operating Manual (in German); auction catalogue descriptions and much more besides.

At the time of cataloguing the Gullwing is all but recommissioned by Jim Stokes Workshops Limited except for the fuel-injection pump that is presently being overhauled by a specialist contractor in Germany. It is hoped that the pump will have been installed by time of sale but, if not, the Gullwing will return to JSWL - at the seller's expense - for these works. Once they are completed, the buyer can collect from JSWL or instruct JSWL to undertake any further works.