1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing
- Listed in the Gullwing register, "Full Numbers Matching Car".
- Originally delivered in California, with an Exterior Color of Silver with Red.
- Once owned by the Famous California Collector and 300SL Racer Don Ricardo "The Famous Band Leader".
- Never Wrecked, No Rust, Never Apart.
Originally built for competition in racing. On the road, the 300SL is one of the most desirable automobiles ever built. Because it was built for racing, the body shell was designed for aerodynamic efficiency. With an lightweight space frame, and lack of extraneous items it was a lightweight fast design. Not intended for production, until a New Yorker named Max Hoffman put in an order for 1000 vehicles and the road going version of the 300SL was born. These first cars had a US sticker price of $6820.00.
The 300SL engine was extremely reliable, and was a success on the race track. The engine was slanted to the left to accommodate the low hood line. The SL featured a steel body shell with aluminum hood, trunk lid, lower rocker panels and doors to save weight. The slatted vents on the front fenders were there to vent excess heat from the engine, but also added to the overall styling of the car. As do the "eyebrow" moldings over the wheel well arches. The standard interior consisted of checked cloth fabric but, Leather was an option, as were fitted leather suitcases. The car offered here was originally delivered with a Leather interior.
The 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing offered here is a rare opportunity to acquire a numbers matching original car, that is correct, and never abused or molested. This Gullwing is listed in the GULLWING REGISTER, with an excellent ownership history. Only 5 owners since new, with an un broken chain of history, which is so important with a collector car of this rarity. A California car for almost all its life, with a very interesting chain of ownership including the Famous NBC Band Leader, and 300SL Collector and racer Don Ricardo. Ricardo owned several SL's over the years and raced all of them in various levels of competition. With one of his cars, an alloy bodied 300sl, he set the Bonneville Salt Flats record in the under 600cc class.
The 300SL offered here is an original California car, which spent most of its life in California. A factory special order car delivered new to Los Angeles, CA in Color 180 Silver Grey Metallic, with Red Leather.
Owned by
Nancy R Widgren of Redando Beach CA
Roy Mahony of Covena, CA
Tom Hill of Van Nuys, CA
Don Ricardo of Pasadena CA (The famous NBC Band Leader and 300SL Collector and Racer)
Ralph Buckwater of Rialto, CA
Never wrecked or apart this 300SL has received a sympathetic restoration over the years. It was painted in its original silver color many years ago and is starting to show some age, with minor checking, and chips. Much of the chrome was restored, and the car has been mechanically maintained and rebuilt as necessary. It runs and drives as a 300SL Gullwing should.
A rare fast, exhilarating car to drive, but not too perfect that you are afraid to take it out on the road, but most importantly an all original numbers matching car with impeccable provenance.
