1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing Coupé

198.043.5500786roadGermany

Engine: Special-order 'Sonderteile' unit, 215 bhp
Colour: Silver-grey metallic

Chassis 5500786 is one of only twenty-nine aluminum-bodied Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings produced, distinguished from the standard steel-bodied cars by its lighter construction and higher-output Sonderteile competition-specification engine. Ordered new in 1955 by Swiss industrialist René Wassermann with an exceptionally detailed specification — white paint, red leather, sport suspension, and English-language instruments — the car subsequently passed through several American and European owners before undergoing a comprehensive restoration by Stuttgart specialist Kienle Automobiltechnik. Inspected by Mercedes-Benz Classic in 2002 and confirmed to retain its original mechanical components, it presents today with only around 2,481 kilometres recorded since the Kienle restoration.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Estimate US$5,500,000 – US$6,500,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
—Auction sale
Sold US$5,010,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1955-10-05 →Factory delivery
Rene Wassermann
full documentation
Basel-based industrialist who personally collected the car from the factory rather than taking delivery at home. Specified numerous bespoke options including white paint and red leather.
1983 → 1989Acquisition unknown
Leslie Barth
partial documentation
1989 →Acquisition unknown
Hans Thulin
partial documentation
Swedish businessman and collector who consigned the vehicle to Kienle Automobiltechnik in Stuttgart for a comprehensive restoration.
2002 →Acquisition unknown
Owner in 2002
partial documentation
Had the car assessed by Mercedes-Benz Classic, which confirmed all original mechanical and drivetrain components were still present.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Jerome Seavey
partial documentation
Chicago-based second owner; the car had been exported to the United States by the early 1960s prior to his ownership.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
John K. Scattergood III
partial documentation
Senior figure at Blenheim Motors dealership in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Senator Theodore Newell Wood
partial documentation
Pennsylvania state senator representing Luzerne and surrounding counties, active motorsport enthusiast who founded a road race series and led a hillclimb association.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Bill Kontes
partial documentation
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Joe Marchetti
partial documentation
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
German collector
partial documentation
Purchased the car and commissioned Kienle to carry out a full restoration, after which the bodywork was refinished in silver and the interior retrimmed in the original red leather.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Swiss collector
partial documentation
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Current custodian
partial documentation
Has maintained the car in excellent condition; odometer shows only approximately 2,481 km, believed to reflect distance covered since the Kienle restoration.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2002Inspection
Mercedes-Benz Classic
Formal inspection by Mercedes-Benz Classic confirmed that all original mechanical components and drivetrain remained present and in place.
—Restoration
Kienle Automobiltechnik
Full restoration carried out by Kienle Automobiltechnik in Stuttgart, encompassing replacement of irreparable aluminum bodywork sections, a repaint in traditional Mercedes-Benz silver, and a retrim in the original red leather. The work was noted for factory-correct attention to detail.
Commissioned by the German collector who purchased the car during Hans Thulin's ownership; completed at some point between 1989 and 2002.

Are you the owner of this car?

This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.