One to Buy: ex-Count Philipp Constantin von Berckheim 1955 Mercedes W198 300 SL Gullwing
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The fleeting appearances of Mercedes-Benz in top flight motor sport during the 1950s yielded an astonishing array of silverware for such brief campaigns.
In 1952, the W194 300 SL delivered wins at Le Mans, the Carrera Panamericana, Bremgarten and the Nurburgring. The only time in five outings the Sport Leicht did not emerge victorious was on its maiden outing at the Mille Miglia where it finished second.
After a year off in 1953, Mercedes returned mid-way through the ‘54 season with the W196 Formula 1 car which won nine Grand Prix from just twelve outings and gave Juan Manuel Fangio two of his four world titles.
It was a similar story with the W196-based 300 SLR sports racing car for 1955 (the W196S). The 300 SLR won five times from six outings; the one time it did not bring home the honours was at Le Mans when Mercedes withdrew whilst leading following that year’s infamous disaster that claimed the lives of 84 people.
Against this backdrop of absolute domination, Mercedes produced arguably the most iconic super sports car of its era: the W198 300 SL Gullwing.
With its exotic specification and trademark doors, the Gullwing was the car of choice for an array of royals, sportsmen and industrialists. One such individual was Count Philipp Constantin von Berckheim.
Born into nobility, von Berckheim was an enthusiastic gentleman driver who, in 1952, won his class at the Mille Miglia partnering Count Johnny Lurani in a factory-supported Porsche 356 SL.
Von Berckheim was one of the first customers to take delivery of a 300 SL. That car, today offered with DD Classics in Richmond, Surrey, was handsomely configured in Black with Cream leather, both of which were optional upgrades. A 4.11:1 rear axle ratio and fitted luggage were also specified.
In recent times, this superb Gullwing has been restored to concours condition by marque experts, HK Engineering.
