1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé
- Engine
- 3.0L SOHC inline-six with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 215 bhp (DIN)
- Colour
- Fire engine red
Chassis 198.040.7500077 is a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, one of only 73 built in that final production year before the roadster succeeded it. Delivered on 7 May 1957 in Fire Engine Red over black leather, it was specified for the US market and shipped to its first owner, New Jersey philanthropist and Mennen Company chairman George Mennen. The matching-numbers car has been sympathetically maintained rather than restored, retaining original glass, underhood finishes, and a well-worn interior, passing through a small number of documented custodians over its life.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,144,000
- 1957-05-07 → 1978Factory deliveryGeorge Mennenfull documentation
Original recipient of the car, shipped from Hamburg to Montclair, New Jersey. Prominent philanthropist, aviator, and final family chairman of a major men's toiletries company.
- 1978 → 2008Private saleJoseph M. Stoytakpartial documentation
Based in Springfield, Massachusetts; held the car for roughly three decades. During this period, specialist firm Paul Russell & Company maintained the vehicle.
- 2008 →Private saleDavid Zagarolipartial documentation
Hickory, North Carolina owner who acquired the car via Paul Russell & Company. Ownership appears to have been brief before the car moved to a New York-based owner.
- → 2010Acquisition unknownNew York-based ownerpartial documentation
Brief custodian based in New York, identity not disclosed in the catalogue.
- 2010 →Private saleOrin Smithpartial documentation
Acquired the car in 2010 and commissioned substantial mechanical work that year, including brake and rear axle rebuilding by Tamburr Motorcars in Melbourne, Florida.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2010MechanicalTamburr Motorcars
Major service work carried out including a full brake system rebuild and rear-axle overhaul.
Performed in Melbourne, Florida, shortly after the current owner acquired the car.
- —Bodywork
Full exterior repaint carried out to the correct original colour, described as having since developed an appropriate patina.
Exact date unrecorded; described as having taken place some years prior to the catalogue.
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