1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Chassis 198.040.5500703

This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL is one of 1,400 Gullwing coupes built between 1954 and 1957 and was completed on September 3, 1955. Chassis 5500703 was shipped to Graz, Austria on the 28th of that month and later spent 30 years with a single owner. The selling dealer acquired the car in 2014 out of New York and subsequently commissioned a restoration from Rudi & Company of Victoria, British Columbia. Work included returning the car to its factory color combination of Graphite Grey over light grey leather, in addition to rebuilding the original fuel-injected 3.0L inline-six. The engine powers the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.25 final drive that was installed during the restoration. Other added features include Rudge knock-off wheels, seatbelts, a reproduction luggage set, and a Becker Mexico radio with a hidden Bluetooth adapter, as well as red plaid seat cushions that are interchangeable with the grey leather items. This W198 has been driven approximately 1,200 kilometers since the restoration.

The 300SL was developed upon the suggestion of US Mercedes importer Max Hoffman, and was inspired by the company’s successful W194 sports racers. Introduced at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York, the 300SL featured a lightweight tubular chassis and body panels made of steel and aluminum. The tube frame’s design necessitated high sills, which led to the use of upward-opening doors similar to those of the race cars that preceded it, allowing clearance for occupants’ entry and exit.

This example left the factory finished in Graphitgrau (DB 190), and had been refinished in silver at some point prior to the selling dealer’s acquisition in 2014. During the ensuing restoration, the body, doors, hood, and trunk were stripped to bare metal and new aluminum rocker panels were fabricated before the exterior was repainted in its original shade. The bodywork and paintwork were handled by 300SL specialist Michael Grams of Coachwerks Restoration. The front and rear bumper guards were deleted, though the removed bumper hardware is included in the sale.

The Rudge wheels were added during the restoration and feature color-matched centers, polished rims, and two-eared knock-offs. 185/80 Michelin XVS tires show 2014 date codes, and a matching spare is housed in trunk. The servo-assisted hydraulic braking system utilizes aluminum-finned drums all around, with duplex actuation at each front wheel. All five removed wheels are included in the sale, as are the factory hubs.

The cabin was reupholstered during the restoration using light grey leather. Two sets of seat cushions come with the car, including one trimmed in matching grey leather and another in red plaid cloth upholstery. The two-spoke ivory-colored steering wheel pivots downward on its hub to allow extra room for entry and exit. The grey leather cushions are shown in place in the photo above, and light grey seatbelts have also been added. Grey squareweave carpeting lines the footwells and rear shelf, where a two-piece set of matching leather-trimmed reproduction luggage from Taris Charysyn is secured by leather straps.

The aluminum dash was stripped to bare metal and repainted during the restoration, before the upper and lower surfaces were recovered in leather. The body-colored dash face houses VDO instrumentation, including a 270-km/h speedometer that was added during the restoration, along with a 7k-rpm tachometer. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 1,200 kilometers (~750 miles), which reflects the distance driven since completion of the restoration. A Becker Mexico radio has been added under the dash and is equipped with a hidden Bluetooth adapter.

The 3.0-liter M198 inline-six features Bosch mechanical fuel injection and is canted at an angle to allow a lower hood profile. Additional features include a dry-sump lubrication system, aluminum cylinder head, single overhead camshaft, and sodium-filled exhaust valves. Factory-rated output was 215 horsepower, which is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The 300SL model was available with an optional choice of final drive ratios, and the differential in this example was fitted with 3.25:1 gearing during the restoration, in lieu of the standard 3.64:1 ratio. Engine number 198.980.5500747 is shown stamped in the block, as well as on the engine tag, matching the number listed on the factory build sheet. Additional markings shown in the gallery below include the chassis number stamped on the firewall tag and frame tag, body number 198.040.5500683 stamped on the door tag, and engine stampings showing the compression number (8.15:1) and spark advance setting (31°).

The powertrain and other mechanical components were rebuilt during the restoration by Rudi & Company, led by Rudi Koniczek. The shop is said to have added 700 break-in kilometers following the work, and subsequent maintenance has been addressed by Coachwerks Restoration. The 300SL features an independent front suspension system and swing axles out back, along with coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers all around.

Aluminum panels used on steel-bodied 300SLs include the hood, trunk lid, door skins, rocker panels, and floorboards. Images of the repaint process and fabrication of the rocker panels can be seen in the gallery below, along with photos of the car prior to the restoration. Videos attached below include a ride along with an additional discussion of the car, as well as a feature on the car containing driving footage.