1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
- Colour
- Silver metallic
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (W198, chassis 198.040.5500753), special-ordered through the New York showrooms of importer Max Hoffman and shipped to the United States in September 1955. Finished originally in white with cream leather, it was unusually specified with competition-style Rudge knock-off wheels. The car retains its original chassis, engine, gearbox, and axles with matching numbers, and has remained in single careful ownership since 1978, having been cosmetically refinished in Silver Metallic over red leather prior to that acquisition.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,500,000 – US$1,700,000
- 1955 →Acquisition unknownCharles Warrenpartial documentation
First recorded owner in the Gull Wing Group Register, based in Oden, Michigan. Car was shipped to the US in late September 1955 via Max Hoffman's New York operation.
- → 1978Acquisition unknownErich Voglpartial documentation
Located in Clawson; a dedicated 300 SL enthusiast who also owned a Roadster variant during the same period. Sold the car at the annual Labor Day sale in Auburn, Indiana in 1978.
- 1978 →AuctionCurrent long-term ownerpartial documentation
Purchased at the Labor Day Auburn auction in 1978. Used the car occasionally for leisure driving over several years before storing it; periodically exercised the engine. Cosmetic refinish to Silver Metallic over Red leather had already been carried out before his acquisition.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
The car was cosmetically refinished in Silver Metallic paint with a red leather interior, replacing the original white and cream specification. Work appears to have been limited to these cosmetic changes, as all mechanical components retain their original numbers.
Completed at some point before the current owner acquired the car in 1978.
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