Vehicle Description
Just Discovered: Factory Rudge Wheel 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Gullwing: Matching Numbers and Possibly the Last Unrestored Rudge
Wheel Gullwing in Existence The 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, inspired
by the legendary 300 SLR sports racing car, represented a level of
engineering and performance unrivaled by any other standard
production car of its time. Debuting in 1954, the original 300 SL,
with its fuel-injected inline six-cylinder engine, fantastic
gullwing doors, and amazing 150 mph top speed, brought race car
performance to the motoring public. The 300SL Gullwing was
extremely popular with sports car enthusiasts and, between 1954 and
1957, Mercedes-Benz built 1,400 examples. Buyers could choose from
a limited number of factory options and, while it was in
production, subtle upgrades were made to improve the car. Among
these options, Rudge knock-off wheels are the most highly prized -
then and now.Admired for their unique, sporting appearance, Rudge
wheels were standard equipment on the factorys 300SL competition
models and all of the 29 alloy-bodied Gullwings. The select few
production Gullwings that were fitted with Rudge wheels by the
factory are especially prized by collectors. The 300SL offered here
may be one of the last unrestored, Rudge-wheel equipped Gullwings
to be discovered. We recently purchased this fantastic garage find
Gullwing from its long-time owner in San Mateo, California, an
elderly gentleman who acquired the car from another 300SL
enthusiast in the late 1970s. It's still fitted with its old blue
California license plate, which was custom ordered with the number
'A 300 SL.' The Mercedes-Benz factory data card documents that this
car was specially ordered by an American customer in Fire Engine
Red (DB 534) with light gray leather and optioned with Rudge
wheels. The Gullwing was completed in June 1955 and shipped to the
official Mercedes-Benz distributor in New York. The Gull Wing Group
Register lists just three previous owners - all located in Northern
California. Still in unrestored condition, this Gullwing features
an older repaint in the factory Fire Engine Red color, its original
gray leather and date-coded Rudge wheels, as well as the original
tool kit, jack, and owners manual. The data card confirms that the
chassis, engine, and body are all the original matching-numbers
components and all the factory tags and stampings are correct. The
Gullwing has not been driven or registered in the last 5-10 years,
and will need to be either mechanically sorted and kept the way it
is or completely restored to show condition. We have found and
purchased hundreds of 300SLs, but this is one of the most exciting
finds yet. Here is a rare Rudge wheel Gullwing in lovely unrestored
condition, with matching numbers and a very unusual color
combination, coming straight out of the Northern California garage
where it was discovered. Offered for sale for the first time in
over 40 years, this may be the opportunity of a lifetime for the
collector who has been hunting for a truly special Gullwing!
Chassis Number: 198.040.5500457Engine Number: 198.980.5500508Body
Number: 198.040.5500437Note: Car is titled under its engine
number-First Time Offered For Sale in Over 40 Years-Rare Fire
Engine Red (DB 534) over Gray Color Combination-Just Three Known
California Owners from New-Recently Acquired from Long-Term
Ownership-Matching Numbers with Mercedes-Benz Data Card-Offered
with Tool Kit, Jack, and Manual-Maybe the Last Unrestored Rudge
Wheel Gullwing in ExistencePrice: $1,295,000
