Vehicle Description
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https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/z34Q97
Fully restored by Scott Grundfor Co., completed in 2004
Matching numbers engine, chassis, and body per Gullwing Group
Registry
Restored in its original combination of Silver Gray Metallic over
Light Blue Vinyl/Blue Plaid Fabric
Previously owned by Tom Horan, Chairman of the Colorado Grand
Fastest production car in the world in 1954
4-speed manual transmission, 3.0-liter inline-six engine
Includes owner's manuals, fitted luggage, tools, jack, and
spare
Very few cars exude the same level of class, desirability, and
recognizability of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, a constant
contender in timeless design. With its long swooping hood, perfect
curves, iconic upward-opening doors, and a body design that is
considered to be this day the epitome of style, the 300SL Gullwing
has aged remarkably well. The 300SL has become a staple of many
collectors "must have" items in automotive collections, despite the
Gullwing starting from humble beginnings from an educated bet of a
single person: Max Hoffman.
Max Hoffman was Mercedes-Benz's authorized United States importer
in the early 1950s. He also was/would become the importer for BMW,
Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Jaguar. He correctly guessed
that the American public (specifically those with the wherewithal)
were looking for a luxury car that also had lots of performance.
Max's bet proved to be correct, with Mercedes-Benz making 1,400
examples of the Gullwing, selling nearly 80% of them to American
buyers. Considered a resounding success, when the 300SL was
released it was considered the best sports car of its era.
The 300SL Gullwing succeeded because it was able to do two things
well, not just one. A full-blown luxury car along with a
record-breaking high-performance sports car, the Gullwing provided
huge performance in a luxurious package. With its dry-sump
3.0-liter engine producing 240hp via mechanical fuel injection and
its low-drag bodywork made it capable of reaching 163 miles per
hour. In today's speeds this doesn't seem high, but this was 65
years ago where many cars barely went past 100 miles an hour! A
4-speed manual transmission kept the driver engaged, and the cabin
inside was appointed like what you expected from a halo model from
Mercedes-Benz. They were luxurious, designed well, and were swathed
in the best materials to remind you that you were driving something
special. For all of this luxury and performance the price didn't
come cheap, with the 300SL Gullwing ringing in at $6,820 in 1954,
although would be considered a bargain in 2020 money at
$65,359!
One of the most unique features of the 300SL was the use of a
tubular frame like many of the race cars of the era. Designed
specifically for strength while reducing the amount of weight, it
ensured that each car had an immense amount of stability upon
high-performance maneuvers. The added plus of being able to design
an entire chassis in this way was ensuring that the center of
gravity was lower and towards the middle of the car, improving
handling.
This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing's story begins with Scott
Grundfor Company (Scott Restorations at the time), a noted 300SL
restorer in Southern California. In the early 1980s Scott had begun
the disassembly of this 300SL Gullwing at their facility when a
friend of Scott Grundfor heard about this project. Tom Horan, who
would eventually become the chairman of the Colorado Grand rally,
was a car-loving 20-something who wanted to own a 300SL. Around
this time, Scott's client who had him disassemble the car decided
that they no longer wanted to invest in the car and sold the
project to Tom. Tom was very clear with Scott that he had a yearly
budget and would finish the car as long as that was okay. Scott
agreed, and so began the 20+ year restoration of this 300SL
Gullwing.
Over the course of the restoration every bit of the car was
scrutinized and restored, yielding one of the finest restorations
that Scott Grundfor Company had ever completed. The
matching-numbers engine was completely rebuilt, the matching
numbers chassis and body were completely restored to perfection.
The interior was refinished in its factory specification blue vinyl
over blue plaid cloth. Armed with their extensive knowledge of the
300SL platform, Scott Grundfor Company completed the car and cited
that it was one of the best-driving Gullwings that they had
experienced. After 20 years, Tom now would finally be able to drive
his car...or would he?
Once the car was completed, Scott was alerted to a one-owner 300SL
Roadster which had always been a favorite of Toms. Scott had a
buyer for the 300SL Gullwing and Tom sold his freshly-restored
300SL in order to fund his purchase of the Roadster. While it might
have seemed that Tom might not ever drive the 300SL Gullwing, its
new owner Elliot Dolan decided to bring the car to the Colorado
Grand after purchasing it. Tom, being the chairman of the Colorado
Grand, was reunited with his old flame on the rally and was even
given the keys from Elliot to drive it during the rally! After 20
years of restoration, Tom was finally able to drive the car.
Elliot kept the car from 2004 until around 2012, participating in
multiple Colorado Grand rallies and having it setup and maintained
by Scott in California. In 2012 Scott Grundfor Company offered the
300SL for sale, going to its next owner based in Los Angeles,
California. This owner kept the car in his collection amongst his
other prized collector cars, taking it out for weekend trips and
for the occasional cars and coffee shows. Keeping it in his
possession until just recently, the car arrived at Canepa with high
expectations. With only 855 examples produced in 1955, spotting a
300SL Gullwing is a rare feat within itself, even more so finding
one in as fine condition as this example.
Each and every collector car that comes to Canepa is put through an
extensive and diligent process called the "Canepa Difference." This
includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where all
systems are checked and serviced as necessary. They also receive an
award-winning concours-level detailing, a thorough cleaning of each
and every surface that ensures that every car is a sight to behold.
Finishing off with a foam-pad-only polish to enhance the paint
finish, each and every car is a perfect example and a
personification of Bruce Canepa's impeccable attention to
detail.
Sparking a number of emotions from a wide array of drivers, the
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is a special automobile. A car whose
style has withstood the test of time and arguably improved as the
years have progressed, there is no better combination of luxury and
performance from the 1950s. From its gullwing doors to long sloping
hood, tube-frame chassis to its powerful 3.0-liter inline six
engine, the 300SL Gullwing is and will remain timeless for years to
come and continually transport its owner and driver back to a time
of elegance, luxury, and performance.