1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
300 SL Papillon Flügeltürer Gullwing Coupe-
Year of manufacture1955
-
Mileage54 630 km / 33 946 mi
-
Car typeCoupé
-
Reference number902802
-
DriveLHD
-
ConditionUsed
-
Interior colourOther
-
Interior brand colour5
-
Interior typeLeather
-
Number of doors2
-
Number of seats2
-
Location
-
Exterior colourSilver
-
GearboxManual
-
Performance158 kW / 215 PS / 212 BHP
-
Drivetrain2wd
-
Fuel typePetrol
Description
* Fahrzeugstandort: im Zulauf / in transit,
Bei Rückfragen Tel. +49 551/820224!
Farbe: Silber (DB180)
Leder/Stoff: Blau
Laufleistung in Meilen
- Owned by the same family from 1955-2000
- Fitted with its original Rudge centre-lock wheels
- Partial restoration by Paul Russell
- Original interior and exterior colours
- From a major Swedish collection
As Eric Lemoine of the 300 SL Register confirmed, one of this car's noteworthy features is that, after being delivered new to New York in March 1955, it remained with the same family until 2000. It was fitted from new with the rare centre-lock Rudge wheels: of the 1400 300 SL 'Gullwings' built from 1954-1957, only 400 had these. Finished the 8th of March 1955, it was in light grey metallic (Silbergrau DB180) with a blue chequered-pattern cloth interior and remains in this specification today Blaugrau (Blaugrau L1 Fabric).
The car was then sold to Nick Soprano of Motor Classic & Competition in Bedford Hills (New York) and next to a collector who only kept it for a short time, before selling it in 2004 to its previous owner. In 2008, he sent the SL to Paul Russell, one of the top specialists in the world for this model, for a partial restoration, before it was imported into Europe at the start of the 2020s by its current owner, a major Swedish collector.
Today, without being 'concours', this 'Gullwing' is in very good general condition. The grey metallic paint has been well preserved, despite a few inconspicuous marks on the boot lid. The aerodynamic floor pans have been removed to make the car more comfortable and the interior cooler but will be supplied with the car. Inside, Paul Russell's work has stood the test of time, with the seats in leather and cloth with the chequered tartan pattern typical of the model. The sills, which are often marked, are undamaged, and the attractive Nardi steering wheel, with its vanished wood rim adding a touch of elegance, has the hinged mechanism for easier access. Reading in miles, the odometer was showing 54,630 miles when this catalogue went to press.
Behind the seats, a set of blue leather suitcases, secured with leather straps, lends this Mercedes the air of a GT. The boot houses the Rudge spare wheel from January 1955, as well as the jack and knock-off hammer. In the engine compartment, which is in satisfactory used condition, the body number is displayed on the inner panel of the left front wing.
A Mercedes plate riveted to the engine ("Original-Mercedes-Benz Tauschaggregat") confirms that the original engine was replaced by a factory-supplied engine. The Mercedes garage that carried out the replacement undoubtedly transferred the numbers of the original engine, as was customary at the time.
The car is fitted with its original axle number 149.
It should not be forgotten that the Mercedes 300 SL, with its tubular chassis, fuel-injected six-cylinder engine, finned Alfin brakes, independent suspension and streamlined body, had its origins in racing. The 'gullwing' doors which gave the car its name were not just for show, but a necessity, given the structure of the chassis, which extended up the sides to maximise its strength. These characteristics made the 300 SL absolutely dominant on the road, where it topped 230kph and could get from 0-100kph in under 9 seconds.
The car we are presenting does justice to the qualities of this great classic. Owned by the same family for 45 years, partially restored by a renowned specialist, fitted with the rare Rudge wheels since new, and in its original interior and exterior colours, this Mercedes 300 SL has all the charm of a very classy motorcar.
*** Standort: 3-7 April auf der Essen Techno Classica Messe in Halle 5, Stand 116
Ansprechpartnerin - Katharina Gassmann +49 160 365 0789, [email protected].
Wir würden uns auf Ihren Besuch freuen!
ZUBEHÖRANGABEN OHNE GEWÄHR, Änderungen, Zwischenverkauf und Irrtümer vorbehalten!
----.
![](https://www.classicdriver.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=contain,width=300,height=300/sites/default/files/business_logos/gassmann_logo_sw.jpg)
![](https://www.classicdriver.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=contain,width=67,height=67/sites/default/files/dealer_profile_pictures/helmut_gassmann.jpg)