BIRTH OF A LEGEND

Mercedes-Benz’s 300 SL claimed 2nd in the Mille Miglia, 1-2-3 in the Sports Car Race in Berne, Switzerland, 1st and 2nd at Le Mans, 1-2-3-4 at the Nürburgring, and 1st and 2nd at La Carrera Panamericana; yet, more was to be desired. From his Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Park Avenue showroom, the company’s United States distributor, Max Hoffman, said there was a market in America for a fast, sensual Mercedes-Benz coupé; a production version of the racing 300 SL, complete with the fascinating and now legendary “gullwing” doors necessitated by the unusual, tall “birdcage” frame design, would be it.

The “SL” moniker (translated into English as “Sport Light”) reflected the pioneering use of a welded, tubular-steel, ultra-light frame construction that weighed only 182 pounds. The car also featured fully independent suspension in addition to its fuel-injected, 3.0-litre (2,996-cubic centimetre), OHC straight-six with dry-sump lubrication, and the motor was inclined to the side in order to reduce the height of the front end. The power was rated at 215 brake horsepower at 5,800 rpm (DIN) and delivered through a four-speed manual gearbox. A 161-mph top speed and 0–60 acceleration of approximately eight seconds, depending on the rear-end ratio selected from five options, made the 300 SL the fastest production automobile of its time.

The 300 SL was also raced and piloted by the top drivers of the day, such as John Fitch, Olivier Gendebien, Paul O’Shea, Prince Metternich, and of course, Sir Stirling Moss, who holds the “forever” course record for his famous Mille Miglia finish in 1955. It all added to the romance of a car that seemed destined to become a legend the moment production began. It had all of the right ingredients: incredible exclusivity, incredible speed, and an incredible price.

THE AGUSTA GULLWING

While Gullwings have always enjoyed a measure of popularity and remained desirable, time has limited the number that have remained in single family ownership since new. Even the best examples have changed hands several times over the years, and “long-term ownership” is usually defined by two or three decades rather than “since 1955”.

The car offered here is distinguished by still being in the ownership of its original family—and not just any family, but one of the most distinguished and important names in Italian industry and motoring. The Agustas have distinguished themselves in the manufacture of aircraft and motorcycles, as well as established a place for themselves in the Italian business world that is second to none. It is only appropriate that in 1955, a member of the family acquired a 300 SL for herself—or, rather, for her great grandson, exactly the type of man you would expect to buy one of these cars new (and then keep it).

Both the Daimler-Benz data card, of copy of which is on file, and the Eric Le Moine and Gull Wing Group Registers, record that chassis number 5500799 was delivered from the factory on 11 October 1955 via the famous Milano dealer Saporiti. It was originally finished in Metallic Silver (DB 180) with a Dark Blue (L1) interior. During its six decades with the Agusta Family, the 300 SL has been refinished in its original combination and mechanically maintained as necessary. It has also seen a few upgrades to enable continued comfortable modern road use, namely upgraded to front disc brakes and the addition of a modern VDO radio/CD/MP3 player, as well as a RetroTrip trip meter. The finishes under the hood and of the chassis are still in good condition, with a nice patina of driving enjoyment. Importantly, the correct engine and chassis stampings remain, as do the original data tags throughout. A spare wheel and tire are housed in the boot, and the car is offered with its original German operator’s manual and French maintenance manual.

In a recent road test by an RM Sotheby’s specialist, the car was described joyously as “wonderful to drive”—this from a man who has driven many 300 SL Gullwings in his lifetime—with high praise indeed both to the quality of this car and to the upkeep it has enjoyed in its Agusta ownership.

One of the most exciting Gullwings to have been made available in recent years, this car is one of the very few to have lived a quiet life, with one family since new—and thus it remains, after all these years, largely as it was delivered when new. It is proudly offered here to what will become only its second family of caretakers, with the hope that it will remain in their enjoyment for many years to come, thus continuing the tradition of the Agusta family.