To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Milan event, 22 May 2025.

• Offered from an exceptional private collection
• Known history from new; boasts single ownership since 1988
• Equipped with an NSL-specification engine and wears a set of Rudge wheels
• Retains its matching-numbers body, chassis, and engine
• Well-preserved older nut-and-bolt restoration performed by the Scott Grundfor Company
• Offered with a copy of its Mercedes-Benz Data Card

Mercedes-Benz’s 300 SL racing car from 1952 claimed an astonishing list of successes, including victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Carrera Panamericana, and at the Nürburgring. Following its dominant performances in competition, Mercedes-Benz developed the platform for production. Under the bonnet lay a powerful overhead-camshaft straight-six that was inclined to the side to lower the centre of gravity and frontal area. This incline was partly achieved thanks to Bosch fuel injection, an innovative technology developed for fighter planes.

Most important to the design was a welded, tubular-steel, spaceframe chassis, which saved weight and strengthened the car. There was one small problem: the chassis rails passed through where the doors would ordinarily be, making conventionally hinged doors impossible to utilise. Engineers came up with a unique and seemingly simple solution: hinge the doors at the roofline and have them open upward instead of outward. Not just beautiful, the 300 SL was capable of an incredible 260 km/h thanks to its wind-cheating aerodynamics. Quickly earning the nickname “Gullwing” for obvious reason, the 300 SL remained an industry standard of performance for years and today remains arguably the most iconic automobile of its era.

Offered here is chassis number 198.040.6500223, which was special-ordered and equipped from new with the1:3.42 rear axle ratio. Furthermore, it was originally finished in Blue Grey (DB 166) over Leder Grün (L3), a most striking and very rare combination. A scan of the registers reveals that it was one of just four Gullwings delivered in this paint colour.

Per its build sheet the car was delivered to one J Blank of the Hohenz Ziegelwerke, a brick factory near Stuttgart. It was subsequently brought to the United States, likely by Gordon Donaldson of Seattle, Washington. After which, it remained on the West Coast in the hands of John R Winblad of San Francisco and then Franklin Burns of Petaluma, California, who had purchased it by 1973. Mr Burns commissioned noted 300 SL expert Scott Grundfor Company, then based in the San Fernando Valley, with a complete restoration in Silver Gray. Finished with blue leather, a matching set of fitted luggage, and wearing Rudge wheels, the car was immediately acquired by the consigning owner in 1988 and has remained in their collection ever since.

Inspection shows that the chassis and engine number stampings remain original as well, though the tags have been replaced—as is common in a restoration of this era. Moreover, the car is fitted with a replacement cylinder head, which is dated to 1960. Significantly, the engine is to highly desirable NSL specification, with the “code 00” competition camshafts dated to January 1956, and inspection indicates that the car otherwise retains very highly satisfying originality. Please note: per the detailed inspection report on file, recommended for review by interested bidders, this car was not originally delivered with Rudge wheels as fitted.

This is an exceptionally well-loved Gullwing, offered from excellent long-term care and as beautifully optioned and presented as one could wish.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ml25/.