LOT 154P
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe Chassis no. 198.040.6500063 Engine no. 198.980.6500071 Body no. 198.040.6500058
Sold for US$1,490,000 inc. premium
Lot 154P
One of the most iconic sports cars of all time
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
Chassis no. 198.040.6500063
Engine no. 198.980.6500071
Body no. 198.040.6500058
Chassis no. 198.040.6500063
Engine no. 198.980.6500071
Body no. 198.040.6500058
2,996cc SOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
240bhp at 6,100rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Rear Swing Axle, Coil Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*Delivered new to Germany, with long-term US ownership
*Finished in its original color scheme of DB180 Silver over Blue leather
*Includes matching fitted luggage, owner's manual, and tool roll
*Retains numbers-matching engine, per the accompanying Data Card
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING
The immortal 300SL (for Sports Leicht) Gullwing coupe arguably competes for the title of "Greatest Sports Car of the 1950s," and surely qualifies for virtually any petrolhead's Top 10 list of the greatest automobiles of all time. A period favorite of celebrities, it ranks today among the most coveted sports cars ever produced and is a benchmark collectible automobile.
The 300SL Coupe was the direct descendant of Mercedes-Benz' Le Mans W194 competition coupe, conceived in 1952 to wrest the World Sportscar Championship from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Lancia, which were dominating post-war endurance racing. Mercedes- Benz historian W. Robert Nitzke writes that company management wanted to jump back into Grand Prix racing, where it had been so successful before the war, but lacked the time and resources to develop a new single seater for the 1954 season. Instead, Chief Engineer Fritz Nallinger suggested the company build a new sports car based on the robust SOHC inline six-cylinder engine from its luxurious 300 "Adenauer" series, but substantially modified. Because the engine and drivetrain were relatively heavy, the chassis would have to be extremely light. Test Department manager Rudolf Uhlenhaut sat down with construction engineer Joseph Müller and laid out an extremely light (154 pounds) and rigid lattice-work chassis capable of accommodating the big six. One major problem soon presented itself: there was no way to mount conventional doors without compromising the rigidity of the chassis. The solution was to cut the doors into the roof, but that meant hinging them from the top, thus giving birth to this car's timeless signature design feature.
The 300SL's first racing trial was the 1952 Mille Miglia, where Kling finished second to Giovanni Bracco's open Ferrari, while Rudolf Caracciola was fourth, the two Gullwings being split by a Lancia. The third Coupe had gone off the road early in the grueling contest. Next came the Grand Prix of Berne, where a quartet of 300SLs took the start and swept the top three positions, Caracciola having crashed in what would prove to be his last race. The racing 300SLs spawned the legendary 8-cylinder 300SLR, which further dominated motorsport until the tragedy of the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans, when Mercedes-Benz pulled out of global racing for decades.
Max Hoffman, the influential and enterprising New York foreign car importer, is credited with urging Mercedes-Benz to build a production version of the 300SL racing car for the ravenous US market – which some say became the original "supercar." The 300SL Gullwing, in final form, was unveiled at the New York International Motor Sports Show in early February 1954, and actual production began that fall. The road car differed slightly in appearance from the racing coupes and featured revolutionary new Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection. Between 1954 and 1957, a total of 1,400 Gullwings were delivered to eager purchasers, and in 1957, the elegant and refined 300SL Roadster followed in its wheel tracks. These proved to be even more successful from a sales standpoint, with 1,858 units produced.
THE CAR OFFERED
We are pleased to offer chassis number 6500063, a beautiful 1956 300SL Gullwing finished from new in the iconic Mercedes-Benz colors of DB180 Silver over 333 Navy Blue leather upholstery. According to Eric Le Moine's Gullwing Register, this car was delivered new to Karl Anton Henschel of Kassel, Germany in March of 1956. It made its way to the USA, landing in the care of a Mr. Olson of Minneapolis, Minnesota (that could be anyone in MLPS). Service records on file show it was in the care of Mr. Don Stern of Mahwah, New Jersey in the early 2000s, and by c.2005 it was offered for sale by Legendary Motors of Gazelle, California. They described the car as being painstakingly restored from "a 20,000-mile survivor," which generally corresponds with mileage noted on service receipts, though actual mileage has not been verified. From there, it found its way to Salem, New Hampshire and into the extensive 'Moonridge Collection' of Mr. Charles Schwager. The car continued to enjoy regular care and was a cornerstone of the collection for nearly twenty years.
Since its restoration, 6500063 has taken on an honest charm earned through years of gentle use and attentive care. Presented as it left the factory in the classic livery of DB180 Silver over special Navy Blue leather, it exemplifies purposeful Teutonic style. Features include color-keyed wheels, blue fitted luggage behind the seats, and a period Becker radio. Additionally, it includes a tool roll, owner's handbook, and a copy of the Mercedes-Benz issued data card, confirming its original specification and matching-numbers six-cylinder engine.
Beautifully presented with an appealing broken-in character that beckons you to reach for the keys on the regular, this outstanding 300SL Gullwing is a collector-grade example of a motoring legend, widely eligible for exclusive rallies, tours, driving events, and concours worldwide.
Footnotes
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Saleroom notices
Please note, the correct output for this car 220bhp. The consignor has informed us that the belly pans will be included and shipped to the buyer following the sale.
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