VIN: the Briggs Cunningham Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing chassis 198.040.4500003
History of chassis 198.040.4500003
Chassis 198.040.4500003 was the first Gullwing production car and the first example delivered to a customer.
‘01’ and ‘02’ were produced afterwards and both went to Mercedes-Benz executives.
Chassis ‘03’ was built with body number 4500000. This number was subsequently over-stamped 4500003 at the factory prior to dispatch.
The car was sent to Max Hoffman who was Mercedes’ US distributor and ran a showroom at 487 Park Avenue in New York.
Hoffman had been the driving force behind a production Gullwing after Mercedes had successfully raced a series of prototypes throughout the 1952 season.
Hoffman sourced chassis ‘03’ for influential American businessman, Briggs Cunningham.
Cunningham was born into a wealthy family from Cincinnati, Ohio. His grandfather amassed considerable wealth from shipping and later earned a second fortune with the meat packing business Evans, Lippencott & Cunningham (which he started with his son, Briggs Cunningham Sr.).
Cunningham Sr. later founded the Citizen’s National Bank, became director of the Pennsylvania Railroad and was chief financier of Procter & Gamble.
Cunningham Sr. died when his son was five years old. Cunningham Jr. inherited full control of the estate at age 40.
In addition to his business interests, Briggs Cunningham was a noted sportsman. He owned a fleet of racing cars (some built under his own name) and was also heavily involved in sailing; in 1958, Cunningham skippered Columbia to victory in the first post-war America’s Cup race.
Chassis ‘03’ was invoiced to Cunningham on September 15th 1954. It was painted Silver Grey with a Grey and Blue plaid cloth interior.
The car had several prototype features in addition to a short-shift gear lever and fixed rather than tilting steering wheel, both of which were specified at Cunningham’s request.
By the time it was delivered, Mercedes had not yet produced a Drivers’ handbook, so chassis ‘03’ was accompanied by a hand-typed instruction document.
On September 18th 1954, Cunningham displayed his brand new Mercedes at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Concours d’Elegance where it won first prize in the Sports Car class.
It next appeared in late February of 1955 at the NASCAR Daytona Speed Week which took place close to Cunningham’s Florida residence.
Phil Hill drove the car for a series of demonstration laps, during which the engine seized.
A new engine was fitted, but a few months later, Cunningham sold the Mercedes to Bill Fleming of Westport, Connecticut.
Fleming was an enthusiastic amateur racer who had campaigned various Porsche 356s, MGs and a Jaguar XK120 in the years prior. He raced the Gullwing in the SCCA’s D Production class during the 1956 season and finished third in that year’s standings.
Fleming retained chassis ‘03’ until 1959, when it was sold to Victor Stein.
In 1971, Stein sold the car to James Hein and Peter Henning. Hein became the sole owner in 1972 and kept the car until 2013.
At this point it was purchased by Dennis Nicotra who had the Gullwing restored by HK Engineering.
Notable History
15/09/1954 sold to Briggs Cunningham, 306 Pendleton Lane, Palm Beach, Florida
Sold to Bill Fleming, Westport, Connecticut
17/06/1956 SCA Mt. Equinox Hillclimb (B. Fleming) 1st in class (#71)
30/06/1956 SCA Thompson 1 Hour (B. Fleming) 2nd oa (#71)
01/07/1956 SCA Regional Thompson (B. Fleming) 2nd oa (#71)
07/07/1956 SCA National Beverly (B. Fleming) 3rd oa (#71)
19/08/1956 SCA Regional Montgomery (B. Fleming) 3rd oa (#71)
19/08/1956 SCA Regional Montgomery Sports (B. Fleming) 14th oa (#71)
1971 sold to James Hein and Peter Henning
2013 sold to Dennis Nicotra
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Historic Vehicle Association - https://www.historicvehicle.org/
