Vehicle Description
Few cars have reached such iconic status as Mercedes-Benz's postwar
masterpiece, the 300SL. The pure engineering excellence and truly
unique style have set the 300SL coupe and its roadster sibling
apart from their peers, and it remains one of the most collectible
and important automobiles of the 20th century. The 300SL was first
conceived by the great driver and engineer Rudolph Uhlenhaut who,
among his multiple achievements created the astonishingly powerful
W125 grand prix car that ended the Auto Union stranglehold and
dominated the 1937 Grand Prix season. During the war, Uhlenhaut
maintained a low profile, designing aero engines for Daimler Benz.
He left the firm briefly after hostilities ended, only to return in
1948 where he began work on a new racing for Mercedes. Due to
budget constraints, the relatively underpowered single overhead cam
W186 engine from the "Adenauer" limousines. But the resourceful
Uhlenhaut designed an incredibly light tubular space frame clothed
in a slippery alloy body. The engine was canted over 50 degrees in
the chassis to keep the bonnet low, and a new head with twin Solex
carburetors was fitted. The high sides of the space frame meant
there was no place for traditional door hinges, so the doors were
cleverly hinged from the top of the roof - and the iconic
"Gullwing" was born. The W194 proved to be surprisingly successful
despite its relative power deficit, winning the grueling La Carrera
Panamericana and the LeMans 24 Hour race in 1952 and scoring a 2nd
overall at the Mille Miglia the same year. Meanwhile, Max Hoffman,
the influential American importer for Mercedes-Benz, was watching
the success of the W194 and felt he could sell a road going example
to his customers. Hoffman had tremendous influence in Germany, and
he felt a street version could work wonders on improving
Mercedes-Benz's image in the critical American market. His
influence worked, and the 300SL was developed for the road. The
300SL was among most technically advanced automobiles of its day.
Working alongside Bosch, Uhlenhaut combined his aviation and diesel
experience to develop a new direct mechanical fuel injection system
for the SL's 3.0 liter inline six. With revised cam shaft and
dry-sump lubrication, the engine produced upwards of 240
horsepower. The same spaceframe chassis featured independent front
and swing-axle rear suspension, with powerful finned drum brakes on
all four corners. Even discounting the distinct doors, the 300SL
was quite unlike anything enthusiasts had ever seen, and in the
prosperous post-war period buyers responded. Ultimately, 1,400
coupes and 1,850 roadsters were built, with the majority of them
delivered to America. Max Hoffman, as it turned out, was spot on.
This 1955 300SL Gullwing coupe comes to us from long-term ownership
in a large collection and is a generally sound and good running
example with the potential to be a capable and enjoyable event car
with some sorting. Documents show chassis number 198.040.5500154
was originally delivered in March of 1955 in European specification
to Brussels, Belgium. This car is somewhat unusual in that it is
equipped with a number of features that were primarily found on the
first-year 1954 models, but as the changes were gradual, some 1955
cars were built with earlier features. Most notable for this car
are the bolt-on wheel arch "eyebrows" with body color welting, as
the later style were welded in place and the seams filled with
lead. This car also features the early-type Bendix Treadle-Vac
brake booster, and it is optioned with items such as bumper guards,
Becker radio, and SWF windscreen washer. Other accessories include
fitted luggage and dual Hella reversing lights. According to the
Mercedes-Benz data card and the 300SL Registry, S/N 00154 was
originally finished in DB 180 silver-gray over a blue fabric
interior. Importantly, it retains its original engine, number
198.980.5500154. Little is known of the car's earliest history in
Belgium, though records appear in the 1970s while it was in the
hands of Richard H. Grant of Dayton, Ohio. A copy of Mr. Grant's
title shows he purchased the SL in 1975 from Herbert E. Von
Fragstein, also of Dayton. Mr. Grant owned the SL for a number of
years, and it is believed that during his tenure, the SL was
cosmetically restored and the color changed to DB534 Red, which is
a factory offered color. Grant ultimately sold the Gullwing in
1993, when it joined the collection of the next long-term owner,
where it has remained until today. Buy The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Gullwing Classic Car The SL has seen limited use in recent years,
and while it presents well overall, it is not without some cosmetic
and mechanical needs. The red paintwork is bright and attractive
overall, however some minor deficiencies can be found in the
bodywork upon close inspection. The visible chassis tubes appear to
be in good condition with some minor surface corrosion apparent.
Original chrome bumpers wear optional over-riders which, along with
the rest of the brightwork, remain in very good order both front
and rear. Wheels are the correct factory original bolt-on
magnesium/alloy wrapped in Avon Turbosteel tires and fitted with
correct color-keyed hubcaps. The interior was restored some time
ago using factory-style natural tan leather and correct-type
squareweave carpeting, all of which presents in good driver
condition. It includes fitted luggage, a side window storage pouch,
original-type Becker radio and correct original ivory Bakelite
steering wheel. Recently out of long term ownership in a large
collection, this 300SL remains a good, sound car that runs and
drives, though due to a period of disuse, some attention is
recommended before it is ready for more active use for touring and
rallies. While not without its faults, the body is generally good
and attractive as a driver-quality car. Once sorted, however, it
would certainly make for a most exciting event car or an excellent
basis for a more comprehensive refurbishment. With matching numbers
drivetrain and interesting early-production features, this 300SL is
an intriguing example of this seminal collector car.