1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
- "Gull wing" with 1,400 units produced
- 1955 steel body model
- Restored and changed its body color in 1978
- An example in mint condition
Introducing the advanced technology cultivated in racing cars generously into commercial vehicles---In modern times, this is the standard technique in the development of super sports cars, but it is Mercedes-Benz that has been adopted for the first time as a historical model 300SL Gull Wing.
The 300SL Gullwing was based on a prototype racing car (W194), which won many races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1952, and Carrera Panamericana Mexico, which at that time was called "the toughest race in the world". Debuted at the New York International Auto Show in February 1954 as a two-seater sports coupe.
Model code is W198. Max Hoffman, who was running a luxury car importer made in Europe in new York at the time, was big on the commercialization of W194 which was growing popular among rich American sports car enthusiasts through his career at Carrera Panamericana Mexico It is a well-known anecdote that anticipating demand, pre-ordering 1000 firm orders and persuading the manufacturer Daimler-Benz to get the go-ahead for production.
Speaking of the 300SL Gull Wing, it features a flip-up left and right door with a hinge on the roof, which is the origin of its name. When the door is opened, it looks like a seagull's wing, which is why it is named "Gullwing Door". Originally born as a racing car, the chassis adopted a multi-tubular frame combining thin steel pipes for the purpose of achieving both weight reduction and strength, resulting in a higher side sill and easy entry / exit for normal side-open doors As a result, the characteristic flip-up gull wing door was adopted.
The 3ℓ in-line six-cylinder SOHC engine (M198), which is mounted at the front of the chassis at an angle of 50 ° to the left, is a Bosch mechanical fuel that replaces the Solex carburetor used for the prototype racing car W194. Adopts direct injection device. This is the first attempt for a gasoline-powered vehicle, with a maximum output of 215ps / 5800rpm, almost twice that of the base engine (for W186 / 300 limousine). It boasted a top speed of 263km / h.
The price of the 300SL Gull Wing in North America at that time was $ 6,820. The production was only two years in 1957 due to poor practicality, such as the fact that they had large side sills that made it very difficult for women to get in and out of the room because they could not open and close windows and had no indoor air conditioning. (The model name of the 300SL will be succeeded by a roadster with a normal side-opening door until 1963) compared to roadster’s 1858 units, final total production 1400 is less but still It is a popular model that has been sold in the world.
The vehicle with the chassis number "198.0405500689" was lined off on August 30, 1955, and remains a record that was shipped from West Germany to New York, USA on the following day. The original body color was light blue metallic (DB353) and the exterior was red leather (1079). The first owner lives in Ohio, and a few years later was resold to an owner who also lived in Ohio before moving to California and spending time with a single owner. Extensive restoration is given by Charles Brahm on the beach. At this time, the body color was repainted to Fire Engine Red (DB534), and the exterior was changed to tan leather. A knock-off center lock wheel, which was an option at the time of the new car, was also installed during this restoration. After that, he was resold by Brahm in 1989 to his owner who lives in Los Angeles, but immediately after that he passed on to a Japanese collector in November of the same year (Heisei Era), and has been important and well-preserved in Japan until today.
The body, interior and institutional wise, they are all in very good condition, and they show a beautiful appearance. It’s hard to believe more than 40 years has passed. The chassis number, body number, and engine number are all matched, and this masterpiece can be recommended for simply as a collection or as an active machine for participating in classic car rallies.