1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
- Colour
- Fire Brigade Red
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, completed on 5 August 1955 and originally delivered to New York distributors in Medium Blue over Light Gray leather. The car subsequently migrated to England before returning to the United States, where it underwent a meticulous two-year restoration by Jerry Hjeltness of Hjeltness Restorations in Escondido, California, during which it was repainted in Fire Brigade Red with leaded bodywork seams and a fully rebuilt engine. Detailed records of the restoration work survive.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,352,500
- → 1969-06-01Acquisition unknownR.B. Colepartial documentation
Dealer or private seller based in Beckham, Kent, England; listed in both the Eric LeMoine and Gull Wing Group registers under this name.
- 1989 →Acquisition unknownCraig McFarlandfull documentation
Carmel, California resident who commissioned a thorough two-year restoration by Hjeltness Restorations; extensive documentation of the restoration work accompanies the car.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1989RestorationHjeltness Restorations
Full restoration carried out over approximately two years. Body returned to correct leaded-seam construction, retaining most original sheet metal apart from rocker panels and quarter-panel repairs. Repainted in Fire Brigade Red using urethane finish. Engine fully rebuilt and all mechanical systems returned to original specification. New interior fitted, a period-correct Becker Mexico radio installed, and two bespoke leather luggage pieces made to original patterns.
Workshop located in Escondido, California, operated by Jerry Hjeltness. Unusually comprehensive documentation of the restoration survives, reportedly itemising every expenditure including consumables.
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