Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 1st December 2009
Registration Number: RSJ 427 Chassis Number: 5500698
A true classic has star quality from day one. There has never been a time when a ‘Gullwing’ has failed to turn heads; like royalty, it was born to prestige and respect. Those ‘Gullwing’ doors helped, of course. When pictures flashed around the world of Hermann Lang climbing out of his car after winning Le Mans in 1952, they could not have created a greater sensation had they been of a flying saucer. In fact, those doors were merely an expedient because the 300SL’s true spaceframe chassis and high sills necessitated hinging the doors in the roof. Such was the stir they caused, however, that the organisers of the Mille Miglia (where 300SLs took second and fourth) tried to ban the cars. When Mercedes-Benz returned to motorsport in 1952, they dominated the major long distance sports car events with futuristically-