Vehicle Description
Chassis No. 198.040.6500146
Engine No. 198.980.6500149
Body No. 198.040.6500142
The 300 SL Coupe was the direct descendant of Mercedes-Benz's Le
Mans W194 competition coupe, conceived in 1952 and aimed at
wresting the World Sportscar Championship from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari,
and Lancia, which were dominating post-war endurance racing.
Mercedes Benz historian W. Robert Nitzke writes that company
management wanted to return to Grand Prix racing, where it had been
so successful before the war, but lacked the time necessary to
design, build, and develop a new single-seater for the 1954 season.
Instead, Chief Engineer Fritz Nallinger suggested that the company
build a new two-seat sports car utilizing the strong in-line single
over head cam six-cylinder engine from its luxurious 300 series.
Because the engine and drivetrain were relatively heavy, the
chassis would have to be extremely light. Test Department manager
Rudolf Uhlenhaut, having some experience with tubular chassis
design, sat down with construction engineer Joseph M�ller and laid
out an extremely light (154 pounds) and rigid lattice-work chassis
capable of accommodating the big in-line six. One major problem
soon presented itself: there was no way to mount conventional doors
without compromising the rigidity of the chassis. The solution was
to raise the entry so that the doors cut into the roof, but that
meant hinging them from the top, thus giving birth to this car's
timeless signature design feature.
The 300 SL's first racing trial was the 1952 Mille Miglia, where
Karl Kling finished second to Giovanni Bracco's open Ferrari, while
Rudolf Caracciola was fourth, the two Gullwings being split by a
Lancia in the grueling contest. Next came the Grand Prix of Berne,
where a quartet of 300 SLs took the start and swept the top three
positions, Caracciola having crashed in what would prove to be his
last race. Then came Le Mans, where Uhlenhaut struck fear into the
competition by bringing an SL coupe fitted with a hand-operated air
brake mounted on the roof. While that particular car was not raced,
Mercedes would tuck the idea in its pocket for future use. After
the grueling 24-hour epic, a pair of 300 SLs had finished in the
top two positions...and were then driven back to the factory!
In New York, imported auto entrepreneur Max Hoffman is credited
with urging Mercedes Benz to build a production sports car based on
the highly 300 SL racing car. The 300 SL Gullwing, in final form,
was unveiled at the New York International Motor Sports Show in
early February 1954, with serial production commencing that fall.
The new coupe was slightly changed in appearance from its racing
counterpart and featured Bosch direct fuel injection. This prompted
the factory to claim it was, "the fastest German production sports
car." Between 1954 and 1957, a total of approximately 1,400
Gullwings were delivered to eager purchasers.
Manufactured by hand at the Mercedes-Benz factory during the Summer
of 1956, this exceptional Gullwing boasts an impressive pedigree,
having been cared for by its first owner and subsequently his
family until 2022. According to Eric le Moine's impressive Gullwing
Registry, this Gullwing was completed at the factory on 6 September
1956. Destined for the US-market, the new 300 SL was soon shipped
to Max Hoffman's Mercedes-Benz agency in New York. The Gullwing was
fitted with the sportier, Rudge alloy wheels from the factory, and
painted DB180 Silver Metallic, while trimmed in neatly contrasting
Dark Blue leather, code 333. Once stateside, pioneering car
collector and charismatic, international Greek shipping magnate
George C. Makris of Brookville, New York acquired the Gullwing, and
the car would remain with him and the Makris Family until 2022, a
remarkable span of 66 years. The car was restored under the
family's ownership in the 1990s to the livery seen on the car
today. Used sparingly in the past few decades while stored in a
climate-controlled environment, the Gullwing was brought back to
life in 2022, when German Motor Car Service in Santa Monica, CA
changed its fluids, drained the fuel tank, and went through the
fuel system.
Today, the restoration presents exceptionally well, with just a
light patina to the DB534G red exterior paint and lovely tan
leather interior. Just 21,858 miles are recorded on the odometer at
the time of cataloging, a figure reflecting the original miles
according to the Makris family. The factory-fitted Rudge wheels
remain on the car, fitted with appropriate Michelin XWX tires. The
original underbody belly-pans are still on the car - a feature most
300 SLs have lost by now - and original Sekurit glass stampings
remain in place. Chrome and brightwork, as well as lights and
lenses, appear to be largely original and preserved. Inside, the
original ivory-colored steering wheel is in place, as are the
original VDO gauges and switchgear, and an original Becker Mexico
radio adorns the dashboard. A 1992 Senior National First Prize at
Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) badge is affixed out
front, and neatly fitted in the trunk is the factory jack. This
exceptional 300 SL Gullwing, one of just 308 produced for 1956,
stands out in terms of its pedigree, its matching numbers status,
and factory-equipped Rudge wheels, ranking among the most
significant and collectible production cars of all time.
Addendum & Administrative Notes
Please note that this lot is titled by its engine number
