1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé

198.040.5500397roadGermany

Engine: 3.0L SOHC inline-six, Bosch mechanical fuel injection, dry-sump, ~215 bhp (DIN) / 240 bhp (SAE)
Colour: White (cream shade)

A 1954–1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (chassis 5500397), originally special-ordered through Max Hoffman's New York showroom in Black over Light Grey and recorded in the Gull Wing Group Register. The car passed through several notable American custodians before receiving a concours-quality restoration by California specialist Scott Grundfor, during which the engine was fitted with the desirable NSL competition camshaft and stainless-steel exhaust. Subsequent mechanical work was carried out by German firm Kienle. The car retains its original bodywork, engine, and number stampings throughout.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$1,265,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1974 →Acquisition unknown
Earl J. Broyles
partial documentation
Prominent businessman and vintage car enthusiast from Fredericksburg, Virginia, who held the vehicle for several years.
→ 2007Acquisition unknown
Frank E. Gump
partial documentation
Member of the Gull Wing Group based in Summit, New Jersey. Routine upkeep was handled by Paul Russell and Co. in Essex, Massachusetts.
2007 →Acquisition unknown
Tom Horan
full documentation
Denver, Colorado-based enthusiast and Colorado Grand chairman. Commissioned a full concours-level restoration by Scott Grundfor of California, plus further mechanical work by German specialist firm Kienle in 2011, with invoices on file.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
William Charles Young
partial documentation
Early owner based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Car was originally delivered new through Max Hoffman's New York showroom in Black with Light Grey interior.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Laurence R. Langfeldt
partial documentation
Owner based in Washington D.C., one of the earliest known custodians of the vehicle.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2011Mechanical
Kienle
Further mechanical restoration and servicing undertaken, with documented receipts totalling approximately €64,000.
German marque specialist; work is supported by receipts retained in the car's file.
—Service
Paul Russell & Co.
Regular preventive maintenance carried out during the Gump ownership period.
Essex, Massachusetts facility described as a well-regarded East Coast specialist.
—Restoration
Scott Grundfor
Comprehensive concours-level restoration encompassing bare-metal bodywork preparation and repainting in White/cream, correct red leather interior, triple-plated exterior chrome, wool headliner, German square-weave carpeting, and an engine upgrade to the NSL competition camshaft with stainless-steel exhaust. Correct Rudge-style knock-off wheels fitted; original Becker Mexico radio retained with new Hirschmann antenna.
Commissioned by Tom Horan; Grundfor is noted as one of the foremost 300 SL specialists in the United States.

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