Anytime a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing appears on the market, it’s an instant story. The car is an all-time classic and much wanted collector item. This time, the buyer made sure to hit the headlines with a meme-like winning bid.
In 1952, Mercedes build a race car named 300 SL and achieved huge success, dominating the 24-hour race at Le Mans, Nürburgring, Carrera Panamericana and Bern Sports Car Prize.
Through innovative construction, the race car exhibited low weight and aerodynamic efficiency – the foundation of its racing prowess.
An American dealer – Max Hoffman saw the potential to bring this car to the North American market and two years later, the production model saw it’s launch at the 1954 New York Auto Show. Today, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is an icon of automotive history.
Bring a Trailer acquired this particular 1956 exhibit in 2013 from its second-ever owner. The car is all original retaining it’s matching numbers chassis and engine.
After enjoying it for some years, BaT embarked on a restoration project that saw the most of car stripped down, rebuilt, detailed and put back together.
The original 3.0-liter inline-6 engine was broken down and completely rebuilt with honed cylinders, new pistons, and valvetrain. The fuel system was renewed with rebuilt injectors, plumbing, and new double electric fuel pumps.
They also replumbed the oil and cooling systems and serviced the transmission. New drum brakes and brake booster system were added to ensure the car is turn-key ready.
Bring a Trailer assures that despite its price, the 300 SL is a driver and will happily take you anywhere you want to go with style and matching performance.
The light gray leather interior was replaced with matching material and the utmost attention to detail. Speaking of details, the car went through excessive detailing and renovation to make the Graphite Gray paint and chrome trim sparkle like factory new.
This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is easily one of the best examples available. It’s not rare for these cars to sell for a million dollars, but a winning bid of $1,234,567 is pure gold – both in the Internet and real world.
Check out Bring a Trailer for more details and footage of the restoration.