Chassis No. 198.040-6500176

Engine No. 198.980-7500440

Body No. 198.040-6500172

Mercedes-Benz' racing successes with their W194 Coupe in 1952 led almost directly to the development of a roadgoing high-performance sports car, guided by the encouragement of visionary US car importer Max Hoffman. Featuring mechanical direct fuel injection and a wild, streamlined design incorporating the signature "gullwing" doors, a legend was soon born. The success of the Gullwing model ultimately led to a four-year production run of 1,400 cars and inspired the 300 SL Roadster, introduced in 1958, which proved even more popular, with 1,858 cars sold through 1963.

This 300 SL Gullwing, offered from the Fleischman Collection, was constructed on 9 July 1956 and shipped 11 days later to an unrecorded original destination. A precise knowledge of its earliest days has been lost to the sands of time ⁠- a subject for further research ⁠- though it is known that the Gullwing was originally delivered in white (DB 50) over red leather upholstery (1079) and was denoted as a Special Order. Being a late 1956 model, it has the distinction of benefiting from nearly all of the numerous changes and improvements implemented during the 300 SL Gullwing's 1954-1957 production run.

At some point earlier rather than later in its life, the Gullwing's engine was replaced with a similar engine from a 300 SL Roadster (engine no. 7500440), and it is this engine the car has retained to this day. The 300 SL additionally appears to retain both original front spindles (no. 184) and its underbody belly pans.

300 SL Gullwing chassis no. 6500176 has an exceptionally well documented provenance in the 300 SL Registry, having been owned by a succession of known owners in the United States. Its earliest recorded owner was Robert G. Caughey of Los Gatos, California, who had acquired the car out of the Detroit area. Ownership passed to Roman Wedra and then to noted Mercedes-Benz specialist Jim Friswold, both of Portland, Oregon. By 1978 the 300 SL had returned to California, at which time it is noted as having been owned by Tony Caporicci of sunny Palm Springs. In the late 1980s it was in the hands of Marlene Isaacson of Las Vegas, Nevada, after which it migrated to the East Coast, appearing for sale through Ed Jurist's legendary outfit, Vintage Car Store of Nyack, New York, in 1989.

The 300 SL would then enter the celebrated collection of multiple Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show winners Sam and Emily Mann, where it would reside for approximately two decades before passing into the Fleischman Collection. Under the Manns' ownership, the 300 SL was serviced by Paul Russell and painted in its current DB 180 silver hue in the early 1990s. It was then enjoyed extensively on numerous Colorado Grands, California Milles, and other rallies, racking up approximately 10,000 happy miles while in their ownership.

Acquired as part of the Fleischman Collection in 2008, this 300 SL Gullwing has been a cornerstone, taking pride of place amongst its more modern counterparts. The Gullwing is presented today in the silver most associated with Mercedes-Benz' "Silver Arrows" contrasted by a red leather upholstery. During its time in the Fleischman Collection, the 300 SL has been enjoyed immensely including an appearance on the Colorado Grand.

A considerable file of service receipts documents work dating back to the late 2000s. Shortly after purchase by the Fleischmans, the 300 SL was entrusted to Mercedes-Benz expert Steve Marx's outfit in Costa Mesa, California for a major service totaling over $16,000. Nearly $17,000 in additional sorting work was undertaken by 300 SL specialist Rene Luteraan of Van Nuys Sports Car Service, while the fuel tank received repairs performed by Auto Engineering of Calabasas, California. Notably, the 300 SL has been fitted with air conditioning by Hjeltness, a welcome upgrade for those who intend to use their cars.

Today the Fleischman Collection 300 SL is offered as a drivable, representative example of the 300 SL breed. Its restoration is pleasingly aged enough to be able to be enjoyed without too much reservation in a vintage rally environment, but would appear equally at home as a centerpiece attraction at local concours or Mercedes-Benz club meetings. Through the decades, the 300 SL has remained as one of the "must have" cars for any serious collector, having firmly established its place as one of the most significant production sports cars of all time. The example offered here, from known long term ownership and benefitting from regular maintenance, will be an absolute star wherever it goes.