This 40th Gullwing made out of a total of 1,400 produced is a very pure and well restored example of Mercedes’ most revered classic model. It is an exciting opportunity to own a well sorted, very high quality driver 300SL ready for the open roads with a remarkable Bonneville historical connection, and a high quality restoration to be enjoyed for many years.
SOLD
Chassis Number: 198.040.4500040 Engine Number: 198.980.5500490 Body Number: 198.040.4500039. Well restored in the as delivered color DB 158 Weissgrau paint over blue leather interior. Dual Talbot mirrors. The car is offered with an owner’s manual, spare parts list, workshop manual, and tool kit.
The beautiful 300 SL offered here is one of the earliest examples built, the 40th car made in the very first year of production. According to the Gull Wing Group registry, this car was built to special order and completed on October 15, 1954. When new it was finished in Weissgrau (DB 158) paint – a very attractive white gray color – with red leather interior. This car was delivered new to the United States and first owned by William Scace, a manufacturing executive from Chicago. During his ownership, Scace is noted as having driven this Gullwing at Bonneville as noted in the Gullwing Group Registry and in the late 1950s, he raced a 300 SL Roadster and Corvette at Bonneville. In 1968, Scace would set a National B speed record etching his name into Bonneville racing lore.
Early in its history, possibly due to being pushed to its limits through high speed racing at Bonneville, Chassis 5400040 had its original engine replaced with one from another car, engine number 5500490 from chassis 5500122. During the late 1950s and 1960s, the 300 SL remained in Illinois and later it was owned by well known collector Carl De Bickero, the owner of many vintage Ferraris, 300 SLs, Rolls-Royce, and a vintage BMW. Later, the car was sold to Ann Horwich of Los Angeles and there it remained in Southern California for a number of years.
In the 1990s, Harold Stevens of Salt Lake City, Utah purchased chassis 4500040, eventually selling the car to its next owner, noted restorer Jack Plumb, who undertook a complete, ground-up restoration on the car yielding a result in the car today that is indicative of the quality of work performed on it. The restoration included refinishing the 300 SL in its original, elegant Weissgrau paint color, redoing the upholstery the blue leather and making sure the mechanicals of the car matched it’s very well done cosmetics. Every area of the car was touched in the restoration including the underside and the engine bay which remain in a well detailed conditions with signs of very little use.
Since restoration in the 1990’s this early Gullwing has been kept in a well attending to private collection. Recently it had a full service performed to the tune of $10,000 to make sure that it runs, drives and stops as good as it looks. On test driving, Scott Grundfor Company has been able to confirm that this has been a well taken care of 300SL, and a restoration that has stood the test of time with very few signs of degradation. The car presents beautifully throughout, with excellent paint, chrome, and interior finishes complimented by and a well detailed engine bay and undercarriage. All of the proper data tags and stampings are present and unaltered. The potential new owner for this exceptionally good looking and properly driving Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is doing him or herself a favor in considering this for future tours and events and could be proud to show the car at regional events
SOLD
