THE LEGENDARY GULLWING

Since the dawn of automobile production, a truly outstanding model has appeared periodically to startle and capture the imagination of enthusiasts worldwide. There is perhaps no better example of this than the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. The 300 SL’s stunning looks are matched only by its space-age engineering, incredible performance, and world-beating pedigree, which earned its Works-prepared variants convincing victories at many of the world’s premier sportscar races between 1952 and 1956. Mercedes-Benz’s incredible coupe scored wins everywhere from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Carrera Panamericana to the Liège–Rome–Liège rally (as well as multiple SCCA and European Rally championships). Without doubt, the Gullwing is the sports car of the century—an icon among post-war designs that still captivates collectors today.

In the years leading up to the 1954 unveil of the production-spec 300 SL—labelled W198 and eventually offered in Coupe and Roadster body options—the famous German marque would hone the W194, the competition-ready predecessor to the roadgoing car, on motorsport circuits around the world. The earlier car, constructed in time for the 1952 racing season, racked up impressive wins at events including 24 Hours of Le Mans, Eifelrennen at the Nürburgring, and Carrera Panamerica road race in Mexico; many victories came as a result of the efforts of fabled team drivers including Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Hans Klenk, Karl Kling, and Hermann Lang.

Success came during a golden era of motorsport for Mercedes-Benz, and so did the development of the W198. The company looked to build on their racing success with a version of the racecar that customers could buy to drive on the road. In recognition of the United States as a critical market, the German marque launched the W198 at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York as the first Mercedes-Benz ever shown overseas before being revealed in Germany.

The US-based Mercedes-Benz distributor Max Hoffman famously delivered more than 1,000 of the 1,400 super-leicht examples made between 1954 to 1957, as the car gained popularity and “Gullwing fever” spread amongst the business tycoons, gentleman racers, and Hollywood celebrities of North America’s upper-crust.

CHASSIS NUMBER 198.040.5500048: A TREASURED POSSESSION

Chassis number 198.040.5500048, the car offered here was a very early-production 1955 Gullwing, and thus bears 1954 engine and body numbers from new, as recorded in the Gull Wing Group Register. Further, it was also fitted with the early 1954-style concave star grille, bolt-on wheel arches, and Treadle Vac brake booster. Completed on 27 January 1955 and shipped two days later, it was a special-order by Max Hoffman’s distributorship in New York City, finished in White (DB 50) over Red leather (1079) interior and equipped with windshield washers and bumper guards, the latter of the square 1954 style.

The car was later acquired by Vance Hollingsworth of Roanoke, Virginia, a used car lot owner known for retaining some of his more unusual trade-ins. Mr. Hollingsworth drove the 300 SL regularly for some time as an everyday automobile. In 1979 it passed into new ownership, and would be kept by them until 2024, spending much of its time in safe storage in the family garage.

Unlike many Gullwings that were eventually restored as concours prizes, this 300 SL has been maintained as the enjoyable road car that it was, and is. It was refinished once, probably in the 1960s or early 1970s, in its original color, but retains the factory-installed Roser leather interior, comfortably broken-in and appealing both to admire and to recline in. While it no longer retains its original belly pans, it is complete with its numbers-matching engine and chassis, with their factory stamps and tags still intact, as well as the numbers-matching gearbox, left and right front axles, rear axle, steering box, and body. At the time of cataloguing, it had recorded 54,074 miles, and is accompanied by a workshop manual, spare, and wheel tool.

A tempting 300 SL for future rallies, eligible for the Mille Miglia, Colorado Grand, and so many other worldwide events, this car has the satisfying patina of a life very well-lived, and would be an outstanding acquisition for any sporting enthusiast. That was true in 1955, and it remains very much so today.