One to Buy: ex-Glen Smith Harman, single ownership from 1955 to 1999 Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing
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Introduced at the New York Motor Show in February 1954, Mercedes’ Gullwing-doored W198 300 SL re-wrote the rulebook in terms of what could be expected from a series production super sports car.
Derived from the W194 300 SL that had won the Le Mans 24 Hours and Carrera Panamericana back in 1952, the W198 became a critical and commercial hit to the extent that 1400 had been completed by the time production was discontinued to make way for a Roadster variant in 1957.
Of these, the majority were exported to the USA after Mercedes’ distributor for that region, Max Hoffman, had played a key role in the car’s creation - Hoffman had ordered 500 units of a productionised W194 which was sufficient commitment for the German firm to begin W198 development.
Currently on offer at the Canepa showroom in Scotts Vallely, California, is a remarkable example of a US-delivered Gullwing from 1955: chassis ‘5500666’.
Ordered by Dr. Glen Smith Harman of Monte Sereno in California who configured the car in White with Red leather upholstery and a set of fitted luggage, chassis ‘5500666’ was retained by its first owner until 1999. During his time with the car, Dr. Smith Harman fastidiously recorded notes and kept every shred of documentation, no matter how small or large.
Since 1999, this incredible Mercedes has been sympathetically restored to preserve its originality and today this three owner, matching numbers, remarkably well documented machine is being offered in superb condition throughout.
