Vehicle Description
1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing
• VIN 1980405500235
• Body No. 550238
• Engine No. 5500247 (Upgraded NSL engine)
• Upgraded 5-Speed Transmission
• Multi Concour Award-Winning Gullwing
• Black California plates
• 77,441 Documented miles
Chassis number 5500235 was completed on April 24, 1955, and
delivered in White (DB050) with a Black leather interior. Equipment
from the factory included Rudge Wheels, a Becker Mexico radio with
a short wave adapter, and a tool kit. Presently finished in a
stunning color combination of Anthracite Metallic (DB172) with a
Red Wine leather interior. From 1954 to 1957 only 1,400
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings were produced and is one of the
greatest sports cars of all time.
According to the extensive documentation on June 23, 1958, a copy
of the purchase agreement records the sale of the 300SL from the
first owner, Norma George from Arcadia, California, to David
Vaughan. Mr. Vaughan, the second owner, studied art at Columbia
University and in Paris at Academie Colarossi. His passion for art
led him to meet other artists such as Isadora Duncan, Pablo
Picasso, and other artists of the period while he was living in
France. After he completed his studies, Mr. Vaughan moved to Costa
Mesa, California, and taught at Orange Coast College as an art
professor. Based on the registration cards on file, registration in
California was continuous from 1958 to 1977. By 1978, Mr. Vaughan's
wife submitted the 300SL to the Briggs Cunningham Museum in Costa
Mesa, California where it was on display until the Museum closed in
1987. As a testament to the popularity of this Gullwing, it was
featured in several publications, on the cover page of Mercedes
which was published in 1983 by Exeter books. It was again featured
in a 1984 edition of Mercedes-Benz written by Stuart Blandon. On
June 10, 1987, the 300SL was sold to Hans Oesteritz in Alhambra,
California the third owner with 50,313 miles. By the late 1990s,
the 300SL was acquired by Peter Thomas 300SL Specialist where the
car was serviced by Bill Richardson Restoration and Machine Werks
in Phoenix, Arizona. Peter Thomas then sold the 300SL to the fifth
owner from San Rafael, California on August 10, 2000, who owned the
300SL for the next two decades until December of 2022.
Following the sale of the 300SL in August of 2000, the 300SL was
transported to a noted Mercedes 300SL Specialist Rudi Von Koniczek
in Victoria B.C. Canada. At Rudi & Company, the 300SL was treated
to a comprehensive cosmetic Concours restoration where the exterior
was disassembled, stripped to bare metal, primed, and repainted in
Anthracite Metallic (DB172). Subsequently, the interior was fully
upholstered with the correct German materials, and leather luggage
and other parts were sourced from Star Classics Inc in Scottsdale,
Arizona specializing in parts for 1950s Mercedes. After the
restoration was completed, the owner attended multiple Concour
events from 2001 to 2006. These events include Shriner's Hospitals
Concours, Silverado Concours, Classics by The Sea, Wine Country
Concours, Palo Alto Concours, Ironside Concours, Hillsborough
Concours, Niello Concours at Serano, and The Quail.
Accolades Wins
• 1st in Class - 2001 Gullwing Group International Annual
Convention
• People's Choice Award - 2002 Hillsborough Concours d'
Elegance
• 1st in Class - 2002 Hillsborough Concours d' Elegance
• 1st in Class - 2002 Palo Alto Concours d' Elegance
• 1st in Class - 2002 Silverado Concours d' Elegance
• Best of Show - 2002 Shriners Hospitals Concours d' Elegance
• 1st in Class - 2002 Shriners Hospitals Concours d' Elegance
• Best of Show - 2005 Palo Alto Concours d' Elegance at
Stanford
• 1st in Class - 2005 Palo Alto Concours d' Elegance at
Stanford
• Overall Award - 2006 Hillsborough Concours d' Elegance
By 2007 the 300SL was transported to Marx Mercedes in Costa Mesa,
California to be serviced. Over $120,000 was spent with Marx
Mercedes from 2007 to 2015. The engine was rebuilt, a complex and
intricate process requiring expertise and precision. This task was
accomplished by the distinguished 300SL expert, Steve Marx. On
January 22, 2015, Marx Mercedes, removed the engine from the car
and performed a full rebuild to NSL specification at 70,126 miles.
During the rebuild, the engine was completely disassembled,
cleaned, and inventoried. All engine components were machined as
necessary and reinstalled with new 86.5 pistons, main bearings, rod
bearings, wrist pin bushings, timing chain, gaskets, seals, etc and
all the components were torqued to factory specifications. Only OEM
or NOS hardware was used. Following the engine rebuild, a BMW
5-speed transmission was sourced from HK Engineering and was
installed. As a result, this 300SL Gullwing has improved
performance and drivability.
The high-level restoration carried out in the early 2000s has been
well preserved and shows incredibly well with excellent gaps and
panel fit. The exterior features factory "Sekurit glass, pristine
brightwork, aluminum trim, and a 3M clear bra that protects the
front nose. Due to the fastidious care over the years, the
upholstery is in excellent condition with Red Wine leather seats,
dash, transmission tunnel, sills, and luggage. The interior is
equipped with a factory Mercedes steering wheel, VDO
instrumentation, and a fire extinguisher. The KPZ Rudge wheels are
date coded 3/55 and fitted to Michelin 205 70 R15 tires. The
undercarriage has been recently detailed and presents nicely with
all factory-numbered components.
The 3.0-liter M198 inline-six features Bosch Mechanical Fuel
Injection and is canted at an angle to allow a lower hood profile.
Additional features include a dry-sump lubrication system, an
aluminum cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft, and
sodium-filled exhaust valves. Power is sent to the rear wheels
through a BMW manual 5-speed transmission. Complete with spare
Rudge wheel, tool kit, Mercedes-Benz Type 300SL instruction manual,
Mercedes Benz Service booklet, Mercedes-Benz 300SL spare parts list
Edition C, the original 4-speed manual transmission, 1984
Mercedes-Benz by Stuart Blandon, 1983 Mercedes by Exeter Books, and
extensive records dating back to 1958. Featuring a factory color
combination and history of expert restoration and maintenance, this
300SL offers the next owner innumerable opportunities for on-road
enjoyment, exhibition, and participation in vintage rallies.
