1955 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing"

This stunning Gullwing was delivered in New York on October 12, 1955, and re-imported in 1991. In 1999, the vehicle was completely restored and has since been used very sparingly. Extensive documentation of this restoration is available.

Features:

• Gray
• Red leather
• Luggage set
• Nardi wooden steering wheel
• Becker radio
• Chrome wheels with central lock
• Conversion to electronic ignition system
• Electric auxiliary fan

The W 198 traces its roots to the Mercedes-Benz W 194 race car, which had already been given the name "300 SL" and achieved unexpected race successes in 1952. In the previous year, Daimler-Benz had decided to participate in races again in 1952 and to build a sports car for this purpose. To achieve sufficient performance for racing, the existing engine from the 300 S coupe (M 188) had to be further developed. Still equipped with carburetors, it produced 175 PS (129 kW).

In 1952, the car competed in important races of the year, against much more powerful opponents. For the first time, the new SL demonstrated speed and reliability at the Mille Miglia in early May, securing second place in this endurance race. At the Bern Grand Prix, a triple victory was achieved. The 24-hour race at Le Mans ended unexpectedly with a double victory. The winners were Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess, who set a new record in Le Mans history with an overall average speed of 155.575 km/h. Theo Helfrich and Helmut Niedermayr took second place. A race at the Nürburgring ended with a quadruple victory. At the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, the 300 SL, driven by Karl Kling and Hans Klenk, triumphed again, despite a vulture crashing through the windshield. This allowed Mercedes-Benz to continue its great pre-war racing success.

A notable vehicle in SL history was the 300 SL with chassis number 0011/52, developed for the 1953 racing season. However, it never saw use as Mercedes-Benz decided to return to Formula 1 racing in 1954. This unique car, still in Mercedes-Benz's possession and now under the care of Mercedes-Benz Classic, already featured a fuel-injected engine and 16-inch wheels. Its transmission was mounted on the rear axle, and the body was redesigned for better aerodynamics. However, this transmission arrangement was not adopted for the production model.

Initially, there were no plans for a series production of the 300 SL. However, Max Hoffman, the U.S. importer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, had long been requesting a large and a small Mercedes sports car for his customers. The 1952 racing coupe that unexpectedly won the Carrera Panamericana, and was therefore well-known in the USA, served as the basis. After careful consideration, the decision was made to produce the 300 SL in a road-going version as the W 198, and the smaller Mercedes-Benz W 121 B II (190 SL) was also announced for production.

Less than six months after the board's decision, the two sports cars made their debut at the "International Motor Sports Show" in New York, held from February 6 to 14, 1954. Mercedes-Benz received a very positive visitor response to both the 300 SL and the 190 SL. Series production of the 300 SL began in August 1954 at the Sindelfingen plant. Compared to the 300 SL exhibited in the USA, the production model featured small changes, such as vent windows in the doors, revised door locks, a two-spoke steering wheel instead of the three-spoke wheel with spring spokes, a clock, and some repositioned controls on the dashboard. There were also new levers for the heating and ventilation, which the exhibition model did not have. Shortly after production began, or from the 51st car onward, the long gearshift lever that engaged directly with the transmission was replaced by a shorter one with a shift linkage. The first W 198 models were sold in Europe in 1954, and the first vehicle was exported to the USA in March 1955. Of the 1,400 Gullwings built, the majority—about 1,100 cars—were shipped to the USA. For the specific needs of American customers (more comfort, larger trunk, and often a convertible), the 300 SL Roadster (W 198 II) was built from 1957 onwards, with 1,858 units produced.

The price of the W 198 was set at 29,000 Deutsche Mark. In 1953, a Mercedes 170 Vb cost 7,900 DM. However, in 1954, the 300 SL was not the most expensive car in the Mercedes lineup—the W 188 cost 5,500 DM more, despite having lower performance. The purchase price of a standard VW Beetle was 4,400 DM in 1953, which was roughly equivalent to the average annual gross income of an industrial worker two years later, with a weekly working time of 48 hours.

In the beginning, distribution in North America was mainly in the hands of Max Hoffman, and later with Studebaker-Packard.

Of course, before delivery, a new customer service will be carried out in our Mercedes-Benz workshop, and the vehicle will be presented to the TÜV for re-approval.

Delivery within Germany is free of charge!

We are happy to assist you personally during the following hours and look forward to your visit. However, we kindly ask you to make an appointment in advance so that we can set aside the necessary time for you:

• Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Viewings and test drives are also possible outside our business hours by appointment.

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All text information regarding the history and model details is taken in excerpts from Wikipedia entries. The equipment details of the vehicles are according to the manufacturer's information, for which no guarantee is assumed for completeness.