Chassis no. 198.040.5500614
Engine no. 198.980.5500650
Estimate: €1,200,000 - €1,500,000 / £1,000,000 - £1,300,000
The Paris Sale
|30 January 2026, 12:00 CET
|
• Matching chassis, engine and body
• Delivered new to the USA
• Returned to Europe in 1980
• High-quality restoration in the 1990s
• Present ownership since 2011
• Meticulous maintenance by the French specialist in 300 SLs
• Originally equipped with the rare long axle ratio option (1:3.42) allowing speeds in excess of 160mph
"When it was first announced by Mercedes-Benz, the production 300 SL Coupé was a startling car built to the German concern's customarily startling standards, but above all what left the general public most open-mouthed about the new car was its upward-opening Gullwing doors...!" - Motors, 1963.Post-war, Mercedes-Benz had returned to competition in 1952, fielding two of its new 300 SL (W194) sports cars in the Mille Miglia. The pair finishing a creditable 2nd and 4th overall in this most difficult of events, and this promising start was followed up by a win in the challenging Carrera Panamericana. The works first raced the 300 SL (Sport Leicht) in open form, but for the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in June a trio of 'gullwing'-doored coupés was entered. High sills were a feature of the multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, and while access was not a problem of the open car, the enclosed coupé bodywork required innovative thinking - hence the gullwing doors. Karl Kling and Hans Klenk duly brought their 'Silver Arrow' home in 1st place at Le Mans and the 300 SL was on its way to becoming part of motor sporting legend.
Launched in 1954, the production 300 SL road car retained the spaceframe chassis and lightweight aluminium-alloy bodywork of the W194 racer, while its mechanical underpinnings, like the latter's, owed much to the contemporary Mercedes-Benz 300 luxury saloon. A 2,996cc overhead-camshaft inline six, the 300 SL's engine was canted over at 45 degrees to achieve a low bonnet line and produced 215bhp (DIN) at 5,800rpm using Bosch mechanical fuel injection. A four-speed, all-synchromesh manual gearbox transmitted power to the hypoid bevel rear axle. Suspension was independent all round: by wishbones and coil springs at the front, with swing axles and coil springs at the rear.
A production 300 SL (W198) was tested by Road & Track magazine in 1955, accelerating from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 140mph (225km/h). Half expecting the long-awaited 300 SL to provide an anti-climax, R&T were delighted to find the new car, "far beyond our wildest expectations. In fact, we can state unequivocally that in our opinion the 300 SL coupé is the ultimate in an all-round sportscar. It combines more desirable features in one streamlined package than we ever imagined or hoped would be possible. Performance? It accelerates from a dead start to 100mph in just over 17 seconds. Dual purpose? A production model 300 SL can make a very acceptable showing in any type of sportscar competition. Yet the car is extremely tractable and easy to drive in traffic. Comfort? The fully enclosed 300 SL is the most comfortable (and safe) high-speed 'cross-country' car built today".
A 300 SL roadster featuring conventional doors was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957 and, although built in greater numbers, has never matched the immortal Gullwing for desirability. Its racing parentage notwithstanding, the 300 SL remains a thoroughly practical car, as civilised in city traffic as it is exhilarating on the Autostrada. By the time 300 SL Gullwing Coupé production ceased in 1957, some 1,400 examples had found customers. Today the model is both rare and most sought after by connoisseurs of fine automobiles.
This magnificent Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is a desirable matching numbers example, retaining its original chassis, body and engine. Recorded in Eric Le Moine's 300 SL Register, this car left the factory on 9th August 1955 and was delivered new on 25th August 1955 in New York City via Mercedes-Benz Distributors, Inc. Originally finished in Silver Gray Mettalic with blue leatherette and tartan cloth upholstery, the car has been repainted in black and the interior retrimmed in red leather. It is worth noting that this car is equipped with a very rare option on the 300 SL: a long axle ratio (1 : 3.42) allowing it to exceed 260 km/h, which explains the speedometer graduation up to 180 mp/h. This option was chosen by the first owner when ordering the car. In general, 300 SL Gullwing have a gear ratio of 1 : 3.64 and a speedometer graduated only up to 160mph
The Gullwing enjoyed four owners in the USA before coming to the UK in 1980 where it was extensively restored towards the end of that decade. The car belonged to two owners in the UK before passing to the French vendor, a Parisian collector, in 2011. The current owner sent the car to MB Classic at Stains for a full overhaul, which included having the injection pump rebuilt; new injectors fitted; all hoses replaced; brakes completely rebuilt; water and oil radiators rebuilt; starter motor rebuilt; alternator rebuilt; general vehicle inspection, etc, etc. There are related invoices totalling in excess of €60,000 on file. The car has been serviced regularly by MB Classic at Stains and GFB Classic-Auto.
During a recent test drive we have noted that the engine started immediately and ran smoothly, revving without difficulties, performing well at low and high speeds, shifting gears smoothly and with brakes working correctly.
Also on file is an Expertise valuation report noting that the car is in "excellent overall running order" and "visible parts of the underbody and chassis are in very good condition, with no visible signs of accident damage or rust going through the metal". A fine example of one of the 20th Century's most coveted classics, this beautiful Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing comes complete with fitted luggage; sundry invoices for maintenance and repairs; the aforementioned Expertise report; a valid French Carte Grise; and an up-to-date Contrôle Technique.
