1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé
- Engine
- 3.0L straight-six M198
- Colour
- Silver grey metallic
A 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing finished in Silver Grey Metallic, believed to be among the final twenty Coupes produced before Mercedes-Benz switched to Roadster production. Delivered to a California customer in May 1957, the car subsequently passed to Mercedes-Benz specialist Kent Emigh, who retained it for over 45 years and maintained meticulous workshop records throughout. The matching-numbers chassis, body, and engine are confirmed by the factory data card and Gullwing registry.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,352,500
- 1957-05-01 → 1964Factory deliveryCalifornia customer (first owner)partial documentation
Original recipient of the car upon delivery in California; held the vehicle for roughly seven years before selling.
- 1964 → 2011Private saleKent Emighfull documentation
Mercedes-Benz specialist dealer and mechanic based in Mountain View, California, who had ties to the original US dealer network. Maintained thorough workshop records covering all repairs, mileage, and servicing over nearly five decades of ownership; commissioned a full engine rebuild in 1965 and a new interior in green upholstery in 1973.
- 2011 → 2011Private saleIntermediate owner (post-Emigh)partial documentation
Took delivery of newly fabricated belly pans sourced from HK-Engineering in Germany, a project initiated by the prior owner. Tenure appears to have been brief before the current consignor acquired the car.
- 2011 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Had minor remedial work performed by Paul Russel and Company in Essex, Massachusetts shortly after acquisition; the car has been maintained in largely original condition since.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1965Engine rebuildKent Emigh's workshop
Full engine overhaul carried out by Kent Emigh in his own workshop to address broken piston rings and bearing damage caused by fuel contamination in the oil.
Emigh noted no other significant wear beyond the documented faults. Recorded in his personal maintenance log.
- 1973Bodywork
Complete interior retrim in green leather including new headliner, carried out at Kent Emigh's direction.
Recorded in Emigh's maintenance notes as part of his ongoing custodianship.
- 2011ServicePaul Russell and Company
Minor remedial work and general check-over carried out by noted restoration specialists to ensure the car was fully in order following change of ownership.
Commissioned by the current owner after acquiring the car; workshop located in Essex, Massachusetts.
- —MechanicalHK-Engineering
Replacement aluminium belly pans for the underside of the car were fabricated by German 300 SL specialist HK-Engineering to replace originals lost in the 1960s, at a cost of €4,754.50.
Ordered by Kent Emigh late in his ownership; delivered to and documented by the subsequent owner.
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