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Lot details
• Magnificently restored by Paul Russell
• Fitted with the rare Rudge chrome centre-lock wheels from new
• Original engine, known history
• Superb colour combination
• No reserve
With its tubular chassis, direct-injection six-cylinder engine with dry sump lubrication, finned Alfin brakes, independent suspension and streamlined body, the Mercedes 300 SL had its origins in racing. A stroke of inspiration, the ‘gullwing’ doors which gave the car its name were not just for show, but resulted from the structure of the chassis, which extended up the sides for maximum strength. What began as a constraint became one of the characteristics which made this car a legend, and deservedly so; enthusiasts recognised it for what it was. After its presentation at the New York Auto Show in 1954, the list of customers for the new Mercedes read like a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of the celebrities of the time: Pablo Picasso, the Shah of Iran, Prince Ali Khan, Clark Gable, Tony Curtis, King Hussein of Jordan ... Not to mention car enthusiasts such as Luigi Chinetti or Briggs Cunningham. In 1956, a 300 SL cost 5.4 million francs in France, compared with 1.6 million for a Porsche 356 1600 Super. As for its performance, it outclassed absolutely everything on the road. At the time, few cars could exceed 230kph in complete safety and accelerate from 0-100kph in less than 9 seconds, prompting the magazine Auto Sport to say: “The 300 SL has fantastic styling and almost unbelievable performance”. It was just one example of the rave reviews the 300 SL received when it arrived on the roads of Europe and the States. Its European Rally Championship titles in 1955 and 1956 contributed to building the aura around it in racing.
The Mercedes 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ we are presenting left the factory on 18 August 1955, with the order number 759 097. It was finished in white (code DB 50), one of the 152 cars in this colour out of the 1,400 300 SL coupés built. In addition, it had the optional set of five Rudge centre-lock wheels, which were fitted to fewer than 400 examples from new. It is even harder to find an example with chrome wheels, a particularly rare item of equipment which was above all prized by American buyers. Indeed, the 300 SL shown at the 1954 New York Auto Show was fitted with the very same chrome wheels.
On 23 August 1955, this 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ was shipped to the USA, to be delivered to Mercedes-Benz Distributors Inc. in New York.
In the mid-1960s, it was located in Florida, and the specialist Éric Lemoine has identified its successive owners as follows: J. K. Klein, Miami Lakes (Florida) in 1977; Robert Dunigan, San Jose (California) in 1985; Terrel Sarkis (Massachusetts) in 1995; Alex Dearborn, Topsfield (Massachusetts) in 1999; Dick Gale, San Francisco (California) in 2000, then his son Richard Gale in 2009.
From 1985, when it belonged to Mr Sarkis, it was completely restored over several years by the Gullwing Service Company in Essex, the first restoration workshop set up by the talented Paul Russell. All the restoration invoices have been compiled in a beautifully bound book. This was one of the most renowned restoration firms in the States, and the first car in which Russell took an interest was none other than the Mercedes 300 SL ‘Gullwing’, hence the name of his workshop. Russell has racked up a huge number of awards at the most prestigious concours d’élégance, but does not concern himself solely with matters of aesthetics. In his own words: “It is not enough for a car to look good, it has to work properly as well. We are extremely satisfied when we succeed in preserving an old car at its best, in terms of its performance as well as its beautiful appearance.”
Drawing on his esteemed services, the 300 SL underwent a meticulous restoration. As part of this, it was repainted in black (code DB 40) and trimmed in exquisite red leather upholstery (code 1079). During the next ten years, it covered only 758 miles (1220km).
On 3 April 2011, it was imported into Sweden, and then registered in Staffan Wittmark’s name on 9 June that year. After this, it successfully passed its safety inspections in 2013 and 2016.
Today, the car remains in exceptional condition, as the restoration has not suffered at all in the years that have passed. It shows only the slightest patina, contributing to its charm, and the combination of its black bodywork and red upholstery gives it an unrivalled sense of class. Inside, the black metal dashboard with red padding and beige headlining produce a striking effect. The car’s equipment also includes two fitted suitcases, which are undoubtedly the original items, to go behind the seats. The engine compartment is spotlessly clean and does justice to the fuel-injected six-cylinder engine, installed at an angle and designed for competition. Externally, the chrome Rudge wheels provide a magnificent visual contrast to the car’s black paintwork and are a reminder of the car’s exclusive finish.
This 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ comes with a book recounting its history. It represents an opportunity to acquire one of the finest examples available of this great classic, a cornerstone of Mercedes’ post-war history and the model with which the company confirmed its international reputation combining sporting performance, luxury and prestige.
