Few cars have reached the iconic status of the
Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, which for many is considered to be the world’s first
true supercar. This specific example is one of 308 produced in 1956 and is finished
in Graphite Gray over a light gray interior, making it look to these eyes even
more drool-worthy. It’s also owned by Bring A Trailer themselves, but not for
long as it’s now offered in an online auction.
The fuel-injected 3.0-liter straight-six has been
freshly rebuilt and has seen only break-in miles since work was completed at
the beginning of this year. According to Mercedes, the engine produces 215 hp,
making the Gullwing capable of reaching speeds of up to 260 km/h,
depending on the rear-axle ratio.
In fact the classic Mercedes underwent a complete
mechanical overhaul that also included a re-cored radiator and oil cooler, new
thermostats, new fuel and oil lines, rebuilt brakes and shifter mechanism, and
the list goes on.
The interior was restored with new leather on the
seats, dashboard and side panels, as well as new upholstery for the door panels
and headliner. The factory-option Nardi wood steering wheel features the
desirable pivoting collar for easier entry/exit.
This rather beautifully specced Mercedes 300SL
Gullwing is described to be in “fresh” condition, and judging by the provided
images, it shows. The odometer reads a total of 32,276 miles. The current top bid sits at a
round US$ 1 million and with 20 more days to go before the hammer drops, this 300SL
will demand a large sum from his new owner but that was always the case with
Gullwings, especially the ones that look that good.
