1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
- Engine
- 3.0L straight-six M198
- Colour
- Fire Engine Red (DB 534)
A 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (W198) completed at Untertürkheim on 2 September 1955 and delivered new through Mercedes-Benz of Hollywood in the distinctive special-order colour of Low Gloss Light Blue Metallic over red leather. Acquired in 1974 by renowned Southern California collector Bruce Meyer, it was later repainted in Fire Engine Red and shown extensively on the regional concours circuit with consistent success. In 2001 it passed to publishing magnate Robert E. Petersen, co-founder of the Petersen Automotive Museum, which ultimately deaccessioned it in 2013. The car retains its numbers-matching body and engine and has accumulated fewer than 18,650 miles from new.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$2,040,000
- 1955 → 1974Factory deliveryKnox Farrandpartial documentation
Attorney and former president of the Automobile Club of Southern California; took delivery via Mercedes-Benz of Hollywood and kept the car in his Hancock Park garage, accumulating only around 12,000 miles over nearly two decades.
- 1974 → 2001Private saleBruce Meyerpartial documentation
Prominent Southern California collector who paid approximately $15,000 (reportedly a world-record price at the time), with factory luggage included as a condition of sale; had the car repainted red and interior retrimmed in tan leather, then showed it successfully on the regional concours circuit.
- 2001 → 2007-03-01Private saleRobert E. Petersenpartial documentation
Publishing magnate and co-founder of the Petersen Automotive Museum; acquired the car from his close friend Meyer but passed away in March 2007 before transferring title.
- 2007 → 2013InheritancePetersen Automotive Museumpartial documentation
Title passed from Petersen's estate to the museum following his death; the car was carefully preserved and infrequently exhibited before being deaccessioned in 2013 at under 17,770 indicated miles.
- 2013 →Acquisition unknownLos Angeles-area collectorpartial documentation
Prominent but unnamed Southern California enthusiast who maintained the car exclusively through specialist Rene Luteraan; commissioned a substantial cosmetic refurbishment in 2018 exceeding $100,000.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1979BodyworkJunior's House of Color
Full repaint to Fire Engine Red (DB 534) carried out to a high standard at a cost of $25,000; the original blue finish was replaced with a period-correct red.
Commissioned by Bruce Meyer.
- 1979RestorationThomas Interiors
Interior retrimmed using factory tan leather (code 1068) to complement the new exterior colour, followed by full mechanical reassembly by a recognised 300 SL specialist.
Reassembly after trim work carried out by Jerry Hjeltness. Both elements formed part of the same ownership-era refurbishment.
- 2018BodyworkJunior's House of Color
Comprehensive cosmetic refurbishment costing over $100,000, addressing the Fire Engine Red paintwork and the tan leather interior.
Commissioned by the current owner; interior scope also included.
- —Modification
A set of Rudge-style disc knockoff wheels was fitted, described as the finest available example of that style.
Carried out during Bruce Meyer's ownership, prior to 2001.
- —ServiceVan Nuys Sports Car Service
Ongoing maintenance and servicing conducted exclusively by a noted 300 SL marque specialist, following the car's deaccessioning from the museum in 2013.
Technician Rene Luteraan of Sherman Oaks handled all mechanical upkeep for the Los Angeles-area collector who acquired the car from the Petersen Museum.
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