1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing'

For sale with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
Instantly recognizable not only by automobile buffs. but
virtually anyone on the planet. the immortal 300SL (for Sports
Leicht) Gullwing coupé arguably competes for the title of 'Greatest
Ever Sports Car' and surely qualifies for anyone's Top 10 list of
the greatest motorcars of all time and it ranks today among the
most valued and collectable sports cars ever produced.

The most striking aspect of the Gullwing. at first glance
anyway. is its appearance. The smooth flowing lines are difficult
to fault and are timeless to the point that the cars are
continually confused by the lay person with a far newer model. The
doors. of course. are the outstanding feature. and with both of
them open. the appellation 'Gullwing' becomes obvious. The shape is
both elegant and functional. The few fittings are constructed in
typical Daimler-Benz fashion. both in design and execution. The
bumps in the hood. the belt mouldings of anodized aluminium (along
with the majority of the trim mouldings). the upward opening doors
- they are all there for a reason. be it to clear the engine. cover
a seam in the body panels or provide access to a complicated
chassis. In modern terminology. the Gullwing is a fully integrated
design. a claim that few cars could make at the time. Though the
300SLs were built on a production line in Sindelfingen. assembly
was carried out almost entirely by hand with the only automated
system being used to lower the steel body onto the tube frame
chassis during final assembly.

The Gullwing Coupé was in production for a surprisingly short
three years. during which only 1. 00 examples were built. In 1957. br/>the Coupé was replaced by the Roadster version with improved rear
suspension. lower and narrower side sections and a remounted spare
wheel that offered an actual trunk with luggage space. Not only did
the styling put Mercedes-Benz in a class by itself. the engine was
unlike anything in other production cars. even those of a sporting
nature. To accommodate the low. sleek lines. the engine was canted
at a 45⁰ angle to the left. To make the engine as low as possible
in the car. the production car used a 'dry-sump' oiling system with
oil pumped from a separate tank rather than being held in a
sump beneath the engine.
Completed at the Mercedes-Benz works in March of 1955. this
exceptional Gullwing is finished in the sporting colour of DB534
Feuerwehrrot. or Fire Brigade Red. the interior is finished tan
leather hide throughout. It was ordered new by Adam Opel AG of
Mainz. Germany in February under order or 'Kommission' number '5
245 0008' on behalf of Mr. Zdunek. a special client. This. in
itself. is unusual as very few of the 1955 Gullwings were sold new
into Europe. rather most stock was sent directly into the USA. The
original colour scheme then was silver with a red interior but was
changed around some years later.
Shortly after being sold new. the legendary American automotive
architect and head of design at General Motors. Harley Earl. br/>arranged for the purchase through his close contacts at Opal and
had it shipped to his home in the US before retiring from GM
altogether. Once retired. this and several other of his motorcars
were sold and subsequently acquired by a not insubstantial
collection of Harry Eynon where it would remain for the next 30
years before passing to his son. Dennis. Robert Sage then bought it
from Dennis and began the painstaking 'body-off' restoration that
began in 1990 and did not finish until 1994. It was during this
process of restoration that the colour was changed from DB180
Silver/Grey metallic to DB534 Fire Engine Red and the interior
changed from red leather to tan. It was also found to be in
remarkably original condition and without signs of accident damage
or corrosion anywhere.

Upon completion of the works. the car was sold to a Museum in
Japan under the watchful eye of its private collector. It would
remain here before purchase and shipping to the USA in 2014. It has
now been fully re-commissioned by renowned 300SL specialists in the
UK. Templar and Wilde and also benefits from a complete rebuilt
engine (run-in to 1. 00km). re-commissioned fuel-injection system. br/>a rebuilt steering box. and new clutch. Together with new tyres. br/>full UK registration and a full set of belly pans (not fitted). br/>this stunning example has also been confirmed by the Mercedes-Benz
factory to be an all matching-numbers Gullwing. A wonderful example
of the legendary car. this has a prominent history boasting solid
ownership and an exciting colour combination. It will undoubtedly
receive invitations to many of the world's most prestigious
motoring events.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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