To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' The Petersen Automotive
Museum Auction event, 8 December 2018.
Estimate:
$1,200,000 - $1,400,000
- Presented in its original combination of Light Green Metallic
over red leather
- Exceptionally attractive and unusual color scheme
- Accompanied by matching fitted luggage, spare wheel, and
jack
- Includes copy of its original factory data card
- Retains its original engine
� Please note that Internet bidding is not available for this lot.
Interested parties that are unable to attend the sale may register
to bid by telephone or place a commission bid online at
rmsothebys.com. ? Lots with this symbol indicate that RM Sotheby's
owns the lot in whole or in part or has an economic interest in the
lot equivalent to an ownership interest.
The design of Mercedes-Benz's 300 SL was pure mechanical genius,
derived from racing experience with the 300 SLR racing car, which
had claimed an astonishing list of motorsport successes. It was
smooth and sleek, with a flowing snout and handsomely rounded tail.
Under the hood was a powerful overhead-cam straight six that was
inclined to the side to lower the lines of the front of the car,
and below that, there was fully independent suspension.
Most important to the design, however, was a welded, tubular-steel,
space-frame chassis, which saved weight and strengthened the car.
But there was one small problem: the chassis rails passed through
where the doors would ordinarily be, making conventionally hinged
doors impossible to utilize. Mercedes-Benz's engineers came up with
a unique and seemingly simple solution: to hinge the doors at the
roofline and to have them open upward instead of outward. It was an
idea, as one historian would later point out, that only worked
once, and only because it occurred on the 300 SL was it an idea
that was meant to happen. Not just beautiful in design, the
Gullwing was capable of an incredible 161 mph thanks to the world's
first fuel-injected engine fitted to a road-going automobile.
Quickly earning the nickname "Gullwing" for obvious reasons, the
300 SL remained an industry standard of performance for years and
today remains as arguably the most iconic automobile of its
era.
The 300 SL Gullwing offered here was originally delivered through
the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed showrooms of Max Hoffman, in New
York City. It was Hoffman who had cajoled Mercedes-Benz into
building a production 300 SL in the first place, and he happily
dealt the cars to an elite clientele from coast to coast,
ministering to the faithful few who had begged for performance and
luxury in equal measure and could afford it.
Special-ordered by Mr. William D. Brown of California, this car is
one of 19 ordered in this striking color, Light Green Metallic, and
it was likely one of still fewer trimmed with full red leather
upholstery. The paint color is unusual, but more importantly, it is
beautiful, and it has a way of shifting hues that is entrancing;
depending on the light, it appears white, pale green, or silver.
Standard wheels were specified, along with U.S.-specification
instruments, sealed-beam headlamps, bumper guards, and a windshield
washer.
Since then, the car passed through only four known owners before
joining a prominent collection. Under prior ownership, it was
professionally refinished in its original Light Green Metallic, and
new red leather upholstery, in the original pattern and grain as in
1955, was installed. Comforts and conveniences within include a
radio, and a set of factory-style fitted luggage, along with a jack
and lug wrench.
Importantly, the 300 SL has never been fully taken apart
mechanically, because it has never required it. Instead, it has
been lovingly maintained for virtually its entire life. There has
never been a sports car quite like the 300 SL�an understated,
overqualified, unparalleled experience for two very lucky people.To
view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ca18.
