The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is undoubtedly one of the most iconic sports cars ever produced. This beautifully restored specimen boasts exhibition use by its illustrious manufacturer as well as period competition entry, resulting in one of the most fetching examples to be offered for sale in recent memory.

It is one of 308 Gullwings built during 1956. According to the combined information of the Gullwing Group Register, Eric Le Moine’s 300 SL register, and an estratto cronologico, chassis number 198.040.6500052 was factory-finished in Silver Gray Metallic paint over an interior trimmed in special-order red leather. Most importantly, the car was equipped from new with the highly desirable Rudge wheels.

Officially dispatched in early April 1956, the 300 SL was initially retained by the factory for promotional use, being presented by Mercedes-Benz later that month at the 1956 Turin International Automobile Salon. Following this unusual function as a show car, the Gullwing was sold to Agostino Di Stefano, who registered the car in Milan in late May 1956. Di Stefano entered the 300 SL, wearing race number “424”, in the 1957 Mille Miglia, although the car apparently never arrived.

In May 1963 the Mercedes-Benz passed to Francesco Giorgio Galluzzo and, by the end of the decade, the car was exported to the United States, where it was discovered in Nyack, New York by marque enthusiast Jan Fraser. In the late 1970s, Mr Fraser sold the Gullwing to Dr Leon Levine of Escondido, California. He retained possession for several decades before selling the car to a respected West Coast-based collector. During this ownership, German car specialist Tom Drummond was entrusted to perform a body-on restoration, including a repaint in the original colour and a refresh of the interior in blue leather.

Offered for sale by auction in January 2014, the Mercedes-Benz was acquired by a German dealer before passing to the consignor, an Italian collector. In 2021, the current caretaker commissioned a sympathetic restoration by Swiss specialist Stefano Coratelli. This included a tune-up of the engine, a rebuild of the brakes, fuel pump, and electrical systems, and new wheel bearings, engine mounts, and hoses. Coratelli also retrimmed the leather interior back to the factory-correct colour of red. BeB Carrozzeria of Barbengo refinished the coachwork in the original colour of Silver Gray Metallic and painted the number “424” on the doors, bonnet, and rear deck lid, as per its proposed appearance for the 1957 Mille Miglia.

It should be noted that this Gullwing is equipped with a period, factory-issued replacement engine that has been restamped with the original number. This is confirmed by a unique tag on the motor reading: “Original Mercedes-Benz Austauschaggregat” (roughly translated to “Replacement Unit”). This striking Gullwing is documented with copies of 1957 Mille Miglia paperwork, an ACI estratto cronologico, register entries from the Gullwing Group and Eric Le Moine, and restoration photos.

Sent to Mercedes-Benz Heritage in late 2024, it was discovered that the car had damage to the front-left frame structure. Technicians at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart proceeded to remove the front cross member and steering beam to return the car to factory specification, also correcting any deviations from the factory standards that were uncovered. Thickness measurements were performed on 20 chassis tubes, with two replaced. The chassis material composition was tested in 24 locations, with no abnormalities discovered. The rear axle housing was replaced, and the chassis was fully sandblasted before being painted and refitted to the car. Following the works, the car received certification from Mercedes-Benz Heritage.

As a rare factory show car that was due to privately enter the 1957 Mille Miglia, this beautifully restored Rudge-wheel Gullwing would make a sensational acquisition for any discerning marque enthusiast.