Chassis No. 198.040.5500710

Body No. A198.040.5500690

Engine No. 198.980.10.002690

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupe is a true automotive masterpiece born in equal parts from the visionary mind of U.S. dealer/importer Max Hoffman and the racing successes of the W194 Coupe. Hoffman played a key role in bringing the Gullwing to life, championing his U.S. customer base as hungry for a high-performance road variant of the fabled race car. This collaboration led to the creation of a groundbreaking model that not only showcased a unique, streamlined design but also incorporated revolutionary features like direct mechanical fuel injection and the iconic gullwing doors-necessitated by the car's tubular space frame, which was too high for conventional doors.

The revolutionary direct fuel injection system allowed the road car to produce 25 additional horsepower over its carbureted racing counterpart, offering otherworldly engine power and performance. The engine was tilted to ensure a low, aerodynamic profile, while the car's lightweight construction, just 1,300 kg, further enhanced its driving capabilities. This combination of innovative design and cutting-edge engineering allowed the 300 SL to reach top speeds of up to 260 km/h, solidifying its place as the premier performance-oriented car of its era. Produced in limited numbers-only 1,400 units were built from 1954 to 1957-the Gullwing quickly became a symbol of Mercedes-Benz's engineering excellence and a benchmark for automotive design. Today, it remains one of the most sought-after cars of its era and a benchmark blue-chip collector car admired for its timeless elegance and groundbreaking achievements in performance and technology.

As part of the first groundbreaking model year, this 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe completed production on 6 September 1955 as order number 761 938 and was shipped the following day to Belgium, where it was sold through the IMA dealership in Brussels. The car was specified in Mercedes' racing colors of Silver Gray Metallic (DB 180) over an era-defining Blue vinyl and Gabardine Blue Plaid (L11) interior that featured within many of its contemporary 300 SL competition models.

While the car's early history is less known, the car was purchased in 1982 by well-known Mercedes enthusiast Robert Eiker of Wuppertal, Germany. He, along with brothers Dieter and Eduard Bollmeyer, were influential figures in the 300 SL community, where an informal meeting among 300 SL enthusiasts at Bollmeyer Mercedes-Benz of Bünde, Germany, led to the founding of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL-Club Deutschland just one year later. Under Eiker's stewardship, the car was thoroughly restored beginning in 1983. The restoration, completed in 1984, included refinishing the bodywork in Blue with a natural leather interior at Bollmeyer's Mercedes-Benz dealership. The restoration also included an upgrade to front-wheel disc brakes as used on the late-production 300 SL Roadsters. It is noted that at this point, he had already replaced the engine block with a later replacement sourced from a Roadster that still powers the car today, as the car retains its original style crank case ventilation system, oil sump, and single coil ignition system.

The car was later acquired by Helmut Naue of Lübbecke on 9 April 1991 as noted on its German Fahrzeugbrief. After 15 years, the car joined the collection of Dieter Bollmeyer in 2006. As a founding member of the 300 SL-Club Deutschland, Bollmeyer likely coveted Eiker's former Gullwing, the very same car he and his brother had restored just over two decades earlier! A FIVA Identity Card was issued to Bollmeyer on 22 January 2007, noting not only the desirable disc brake upgrade but also wider 5.5-inch wheels like those used on the Roadster. Should the next owner wish to return the car to stock form, original drum brake parts and spindles will accompany the sale of this Gullwing with the seller assisting in transportation to the successful bidder. Following his acquisition, the bodywork was refinished under Bollmeyer's direction in Medium Red (DB516) in 2009 by Bernd Schling at Schling GmbH & Co. KG of Lübbecke, Germany. Medium Red is a rarely seen shade that was applied to only 16 300 SL Coupes when new.

After 18 years, Bollmeyer parted ways with his Gullwing when it was acquired by its current owner in 2024. In August 2024, as part of the acquisition, the car received a comprehensive and detailed analysis of its numbered stampings and steel composition of its frame and bodywork to verify its originality by TÜV Rheinland. The report reveals that the chassis and body number stamps are consistent and in the typical location for a 300 SL. The two-digit "69" stamping on the dashboard is consistent with the "690" stamping on the body number. Lastly, the spectral analysis of the body and chassis shows they are from the original production period. The complete report from TÜV Rheinland confirming the car is a genuine, original 300 SL Gullwing is available for further review in the accompanying history file.

The 300 SL Gullwing Coupe is more than an engineering exercise in mechanical superiority and speed. It's the combination of its style, performance, and historical relevance that continues to captivate enthusiasts of all generations. Unlike many Gullwings, this example benefits from known, long-term prominent enthusiast ownership. Desirably upgraded with disc brakes and wider wheels, this car is naturally suited for touring use. With its rarely seen Medium Red bodywork, it is sure be an absolute star wherever it goes.

Title/Registration: German Fahrzeugbrief, VAT Status: EU Taxes Paid