Put the word iconic in front of anything and its price will undoubtedly skyrocket. Case in point: The Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is an amazing and iconic model in the history of Mercedes’ vehicles, inspiring many of the models that succeeded, including the SLS AMG. One of the 29 models ever created was put up at the Gooding & Company auction where it was sold for $4.62 million, a new record for this vehicle.
So what’s so special about this Mercedes? Aside from its limited availability, the 300SL Gullwing was built off of the 300SL Racer and features an aluminum alloy body with stiffer, shorter springs that lowered the car and enhanced peak performance. It sits on wider rims housing vented brake drums and was about 200 lbs lighter than the standard steel-bodied version.
The specific Mercedes 300SL Gullwing that was auctioned off had a metallic silver gray exterior finish that was complimented by a blue leather interior. It was also outfitted with Rudge wheels, the NSL motor, and Plexiglas windows per aluminum-build specifications.
The 1957 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing is without question one of the most iconic vehicles in auto history so when you’re in the presence of one, it’s important to treat the car with utmost care and delicacy.
At the 2011 SEMA Auto Show, we saw a 300SL Gullwing at the BASF Booth, except that this particular one was fine-tuned by no less than Chip Foose/Foose Design in collaboration with the world leader in automotive OEM and refinish technologies. Before being sent off to Foose Design for the cursory aerodynamic improvements, BASF was already familiar with the 300SL, having spearheaded a restoration project that was actually featured in a 2008 episode of Dream Car Garage.
As far as Foose’s responsibility on the car was concerned, the man with the tuning Midas touch was tasked to give it some subtle, yet significant styling cues. To begin his work, Foose removed the 300SL’s front and rear bumpers, replacing them with custom fabricated units that have been redesigned to offer slimmer and more elegant trim. The company also took time to make enhancements on the rear bulge just above the rear wheel, making it symmetrical to the front wheel house bulge. The car’s grille and shell, together with the nose emblem, were all treated to minor modifications while the car’s new side trim was machined, milled, filed, and polished, just before undergoing final chrome plating. New headlights were also installed while the bezels were machined out of billet aluminum before being fit back to the front fenders. And finally, Foose outfitted the 300SL Gullwing with a clean set of Foose wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero Nero tires.
Ladies you know when you go for a walk and you see that sexy man in an even sexy car? And if he is driving a red Ferrari there is no way you can avoid bumping that pit that came across you (God knows who put it there!) But what do you need to drive to have your revenge?
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While looking for daily news today we came across this bid on eBay: a
1960 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster Concours Show Car. With a current bid of $625,000, the 300SL Roadster is a rare opportunity to own one of Mercedes Benz finest and most sought after vehicles.
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With all the events taking place in Monterey, California every August, the Russo and Steele event is a must go. It is much smaller than the Scottsdale auction but it is certaintly Monterey styled for the VIPs. Nonetheless, there were over 150 cars running over the auction block for a combined total of over $10 million in sales.
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