1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupé
- Engine
- 3.0L SOHC inline-six with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 240 bhp at 6,100 rpm (300SL Roadster-specification replacement unit)
- Colour
- DB180 Silver
The 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe (chassis 6500176) was delivered new to Los Gatos, California in July 1956, finished originally in white over red leather. A US-market example with continuous West Coast and Nevada provenance, it subsequently entered the prominent Mann Collection in New Jersey before returning westward. The car received a high-quality restoration by noted 300SL specialist Hjeltness Restorations, which refinished it in silver, refurbished the red leather interior, fitted an air conditioning system with auxiliary cooling fans, and sourced a period-correct 300SL Roadster replacement engine. It has since been actively used on touring events.
Ownership
- 2024-05-05Auction saleSold US$1,450,000
- 1956-07-01 →Factory deliveryOriginal Los Gatos, California delivery recipientpartial documentation
Car was delivered new to a buyer in Los Gatos, California, finished in white over red leather interior. Identity of first owner not specified in available records.
- 2022 →Acquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired the car in 2022 and used it actively while preserving its post-restoration cosmetic condition.
- Date unknownVarious California and Nevada ownerspartial documentation
Car passed through multiple owners on the US West Coast and Nevada before moving eastward. No individual names or dates provided for this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownSam and Emily Mannpartial documentation
Car joined the Manns' prominent collection in Englewood, New Jersey. A full restoration by Hjeltness in California was carried out at some point, refinishing the car in silver with restored red leather interior.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWilliam Fleischmanpartial documentation
Following the Mann collection, the car returned to the West Coast and remained with Fleischman for roughly 15 years.
Competition
- —Tejas Turismo rallyfinisher
The car completed this rally event in recent ownership; described as a recent finisher.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Modification
The original 300SL Gullwing engine was replaced at an undetermined point with a later-specification 300SL Roadster unit.
Exact timing and circumstances of the engine substitution are not recorded in the catalogue.
- —RestorationHjeltness Restorations
A full restoration was carried out, including a bare-metal refinish in DB180 Silver, a refurbishment of the red leather interior, and general recommissioning to a high standard. Hjeltness also fitted a bespoke air conditioning system with auxiliary electric cooling fans developed specifically for the 300SL model.
Hjeltness Restorations is based in Escondido, California, and is regarded as one of the leading 300SL specialists in the United States. The belly pans were retained during the restoration.
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