1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
- Engine
- 3.0L straight-six, ~212 bhp
- Colour
- Black
Chassis 4500086 is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing completed at the Untertürkheim factory on 6 December 1954 and originally delivered in Light Blue Metallic over Light Grey to its first owner in Buffalo, New York. The car subsequently migrated to California, passed through the Blackhawk Collection, and was eventually acquired by the Stuttgart Legends Collection in 2010, at which point it was repatriated to Germany. Body, chassis, and engine are confirmed matching-numbers, and a comprehensive recommissioning exceeding €140,000 was carried out by specialist workshop Mechatronik of Pleidelsheim between 2010 and 2011.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,298,750 (≈ $1.43M)
- 1954-12-06 →Factory deliveryCD Jonespartial documentation
First registered owner, based in Buffalo, New York. Car was delivered in Light Blue Metallic over Light Grey interior.
- 1992 →Acquisition unknownBlackhawk Collectionpartial documentation
Well-known California-based collector ensemble headquartered in Danville. The car's exterior was repainted to black with black leather interior at some point during or around this period.
- 2001 → 2010Acquisition unknownPrivate owner in Chatsworth, Californiapartial documentation
Final US-based custodian prior to the car crossing the Atlantic; sold or transferred it to the Stuttgart Legends Collection.
- 2010 →Acquisition unknownStuttgart Legends Collectionfull documentation
German-based collection that repatriated the car to its country of origin. Commissioned an extensive restoration and recommissioning programme at Mechatronik in Pleidelsheim, with documented expenditure exceeding €140,000 and supporting invoices on file.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEd Jansenpartial documentation
Resident of Temple City, California; ownership marked the car's transition from the East Coast to the West Coast.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2010Modification
Car refinished in black with a black leather interior at some point; current finish differs from the original Light Blue Metallic over Light Grey specification.
Exact date of the colour change is not stated; it occurred prior to or during the Blackhawk/US ownership period.
- 2011RestorationMechatronik
Comprehensive recommissioning carried out between 2010 and 2011, costing over €140,000, encompassing general re-commissioning work, removal and refitting of the engine and gearbox, and a full brake system overhaul. Body, chassis, and engine confirmed as matching-numbers; gearbox identified as a 1954 replacement unit.
Invoices for all work are held on file. A separate Mercedes-Benz Heritage report confirms front and rear axles and steering box appear to be original components.
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