1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupe
Debuting for 1954, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL retained its race-winning forebear’s spaceframe and lightweight alloy bodywork while adopting refined mechanicals from the prestigious 300 luxury touring range.
Mounted at a 45-degree angle, its 2,996cc Bosch fuel-injected six produced 215 horsepower, relayed rearward through a four-speed synchronized manual gearbox. Independent suspension provided comfort without sacrificing cornering ability or high-speed stability.
According to 1955 Road & Track testing, the production 300SL accelerated from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, reaching 140mph at full tilt.
Reviewers declared it, “…the ultimate in an all-round sports car. It combines more desirable features in one streamlined package than we ever imagined…Performance? It accelerates from a dead start to 100mph in just over 17 seconds…Yet the car is extremely tractable and easy to drive in traffic…”
The 1955 model year represents the peak of Gullwing Coupe production and refinement before the Roadster assumed its mantle through 1963. Yet neither possesses the special allure of the initial flight.
A conventionally doored 300SL Roadster followed for 1957, but the original Gullwing remains most coveted today – just 1,400 examples left the factory by then. Though conceived for competition, reviewers found the 300SL thoroughly civilized yet exhilarating on public roads.
Today the 300SL is considered an automotive icon worldwide not only for its technical brilliance but also timeless beauty. Its upward-lifting doors became symbolic of inaugural postwar prosperity, favored by celebrities, drivers and captains of industry.
That blend of racing silverware and star appeal solidified the 300SL’s status in the collector elite.
Credit: Bonhams|Cars
