One to Buy: 1 of 1 Medium Green over Green-Grey 1955 Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing
Considering its substantial price and seemingly limited market, the fact that Mercedes managed to sell 1400 examples of the W198 300 SL Gullwing between 1954 and ‘57 remains truly remarkable.
Back then, sales figures for even the most popular Ferraris, Maseratis and Aston Martins rarely broached three figures as old-fashioned production techniques reliant on outside suppliers of major components kept prices high and availability low.
By contrast, Mercedes manufactured practically everything for the Gullwing in-house which had the knock-on effect of ensuring the 300 SL offered industry-leading build quality.
However, it wasn’t just the standard and manner of its construction that ensured the Gullwing was such a success – without its sensational looks, outstanding performance and innovative engineering, Mercedes would have stood no chance against such illustrious rivals.
Despite having parted with a not inconsiderable sum to acquire their Gullwing, most buyers opted to go with standard Silver Grey paint as opposed to one of the many alternative colour schemes that Mercedes offered at extra cost.
However, one car that was originally completed in an exceedingly rare and most likely unique colour combination was chassis 5500263 which will be going under the hammer at Mecum’s Kissimmee auction in Florida on January 18th.
Configured in Mittelgrun (Medium Green) over a Green and Grey leather interior, 5500263 was dispatched to the US on April 30th 1955 and delivered to Max Hoffman’s Mercedes-Benz Distrubutors of New York.
In recent times, the car has been restored with an incorrect Beige leather interior, but once returned to its original specification and with a little extra detailing, this matching numbers car will represent an outstanding example of the Gullwing breed.
Reprinted below is Mecum’s description:
Chassis no. 1980405500263
Purchased by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation in January 1973
Meticulous body-off restoration by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum in the late 2000s
Final fit, finish and service work completed by Scott Grundfor Co. in Arroyo Grande, California in 2022
Displayed in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Collection periodically from 2015-2020
Shown as part of the museum's Basement Collection when not displayed on the main floor
1 of 1,400 produced between 1954 and 1957
U.S. market example shipped from the factory on April 30, 1955
Delivered to Mercedes-Benz Distributors of New York
The only known example delivered in Mittelgrun over Green and Gray leather
Original matching numbers rebuilt 3.0L fuel injected inline 6-cylinder engine
Engine block thermal cleaned, bored and honed by Schmidt Automotive Machine Shop of Indianapolis, Indiana in 2007
Fuel injection pump rebuilt by Pacific Fuel Injection of San Francisco, California in 2008
4-speed manual transmission
Mittelgrun (DB229G) exterior
Refinished in Beige leather sourced from Landwerlen Leather Co. of Indianapolis, Indiana
Seats, dash pad, transmission tunnel and sills trimmed in leather
Green painted dashboard
Polished brightwork and refinished chrome accents
Powder coated frame by Indy Powder Coating of Speedway, Indiana
New rubber suspension components
Body color steel wheels with body color and chrome hubcaps
Michelin tires with period correct Michelin X spare tire
Copy of the factory build sheet
Restoration photos and documentation
Correspondence between previous owners
Service receipts from Scott Grundfor Co.
