1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé
- Colour
- Black over red leather interior
Chassis 6500214, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe (W198), was special-ordered by Mercedes-Benz Canada in August 1956 and delivered new to Raymond F. Corley of Toronto in early 1957. Corley retained the car for the remainder of his life—nearly fifty years—after which it passed through a small chain of notable collectors. A comprehensive restoration was completed in 2007 by RM Auto Restoration, refinishing the car in black over red leather; the numbers-matching engine, body, gearbox, rear axle, and kingpins are all retained.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,572,500
- 1956-08-01 → 1957Factory deliveryMercedes-Benz Canadapartial documentation
Vehicle was specially ordered through the Canadian distributor in August 1956, finished in a rare red-over-tartan specification.
- 1957 → 2006Private saleRaymond F. Corleyfull documentation
Toronto resident who purchased the car new and retained it for the remainder of his life; odometer showed just over 56,000 miles at the time of estate sale, with the car in unrestored but original condition.
- 2006 → 2006InheritanceCorley estatepartial documentation
Estate disposed of the vehicle three years after Corley's death in 2003, at which point it was in well-worn but fully original condition.
- 2006 → 2007Private saleUnidentified post-estate purchaserpartial documentation
This owner commissioned a thorough restoration by RM Auto Restoration, including bodywork repairs, a repaint in black, and a cabin retrim in red leather; the engine received only a partial rebuild.
- 2011 →Private saleDr. Peter Fodorpartial documentation
Los Angeles-based collector; marque specialist Rene Luteraan oversaw the car's upkeep during this period of ownership.
- → 2018-05-01Private saleMark Moshayedipartial documentation
Newport Beach owner who had reproduction Rudge wheels fitted and a pair of coordinating red luggage pieces added.
- 2018-05-01 → 2021Private saleGene Ponderpartial documentation
Marshall, Texas-based 300 SL specialist who invested approximately $37,000 in mechanical engine work performed by Mercedes-Benz expert Robert Webster.
- 2021 →Private saleCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Acquired directly from Ponder; car retains its numbers-matching drivetrain components and presents with under 57,650 miles indicated.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2007RestorationRM Auto Restoration
Full restoration in which the original body was detached, repaired with new metal as required (including lower sills and body-to-chassis junction points), then reunited with the chassis. Car was refinished in black paint (DB 040) and the interior was retrimmed in red leather with Baisch-type lap belts.
The numbers-matching engine was assessed and only partially rebuilt, with consumables such as fuel lines and gaskets replaced. Approximately 1,607 miles covered since completion.
- —Modification
A complete set of reproduction Rudge wheels was fitted and two pieces of matching red luggage were added.
Carried out during Mark Moshayedi's ownership.
- —Engine rebuildRobert Webster
Substantial mechanical engine work carried out by Mercedes-Benz specialist Robert Webster at a cost of approximately $37,000.
Commissioned by Gene Ponder following his acquisition of the car in May 2018.
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