As the 20th Gullwing produced overall, this sensational Hjeltness restoration showcases all of the “early” features that make the beginning of production examples so sought after by Mercedes connoisseurs. This multiple Concours winning Gullwing has been finished to the highest standards by one of the world’s most celebrated 300SL restoration houses and remains in stunning, pristine condition having seen almost no use since restoration.
Highlights
- Chassis no. 198.040.4500020
- Engine no. 198.980.4500027
- Body no. 198.040.00012
- Matching Numbers
- Special Order
- 543 G Strawberry Metallic Paint
- Beige Leather Interior with Green Plaid Seats
- Long “Gooseneck” shifter
- Concave Barrel/Star
- Fitted Matching Luggage
- Fitted with Chromed Knock-off Wheels with Spare
- Belly Pans
- Comes with Restored Original Wheels
- Original Tools
- Books
- Jack and Knock-off Hammer
History
This very early special order 300SL Coupe left the factory on September 30th, 1954. Originally painted DB190 grey with blue vinyl/blue plaid seats and blue leather interior, it was destined for Max Hoffman’s Mercedes-Benz of New York, NY as only the 20th example made out of 1400 Gullwings produced between 1954 and 1957. Chassis no. 20 boasts and importantly still retains all the numerous, rare and early “prototype” features that distinguish the earliest cars produced from the vast majority of 300SL Gullwings made. Many of these distinguishing traits are found only on the first 50 or so cars produced in 1954 and are hold-over characteristics from the 1952 race cars upon which the production 300SL Coupe was based.
The most prominent of these unique, early Gullwing features include the long “gooseneck” shifter that comes out from beneath the dash, the often times missing 9-piece hand made concave barrel three pointed star in the grill, painted underside of the hood, bare metal valve cover in the engine bay and bolt-on eyebrows with beaded welting. Less obvious and subtle early features, also retained faithfully in the car as it presents today, include the subtle finger grip scoop depression at the base of the gullwing doors, non-removable welded chassis struts in the engine bay harkening back to the factory 300SL race car chassis’, an early roof vent configuration that differs slightly from the later cars and flat topped bumper guards that minimize utility but many feel advance aesthetics of the model. Numerous other features unique to early production cars appear throughout Chassis no. 20, particularly in the engine bay, and all of these nuances have been meticulously kept in tact through the life of the car and perhaps most importantly, through the masterclass restoration undertaken by Hjeltness.
According to the Gullwing Group Registry, the first owner of Gullwing no. 20 was Roy Miller of China Lake, California, and as noted in the registry the car split time between Washington, DC and California during this ownership tenure. In the early 1970’s, Weston Hook of La Jolla, California became owner and would go on as caretaker for the next four decades, eventually passing the car to his son. Weston Hook spent time in both California and Hawaii, the latter being the center of his real estate business interests, and as such the car split time between the two sunny Pacific locales. After several decades of ownership and use, Hook entrusted 300SL expert restorer Jerry Hjeltness of Escondido, California to perform a restoration, the result of which can be best described in brief, as exceptional.
Over the course of two years and an exhaustive attention to detail, Chassis no. 20 was completely restored, down to the most minute of details, and finished in the period correct Mercedes colors of 543G Strawberry Metallic paint over beige leather interior with green plaid seats. Matching luggage and chrome Rudge wheels were added to round out what is an undeniable and strikingly beautiful cosmetic scheme that can’t help but be the center of attention regardless of the company it keeps. The result of this restoration has inevitably led to many concours victories in class and across entire show fields of competition. The car is simply a “best of the best” restoration, from one of the very best 300SL restoration houses.
This early coupe is an illustrative example of the sort of finished car that can be achieved through meticulous restoration when Mercedes master technicians, superb craftsmanship and an understanding of the nuances associated with the early examples of the 300SL Coupe combine with an owner willing to go “all-in” in pursuit of authentic Mercedes perfection. Every area of this 300SL has been restored and attended to to the highest standards possible. As experienced 300SL restorers ourselves, and after having spent decades on the show circuit battling for awards with Jerry Hjeltness and his talented restoration team, we immediately notice in Gullwing no. 20 many of the hallmark detail nuances so familiar as part and parcel of a Hjeltness restoration.
The paint has been expertly prepped and applied on a body that is uncompromisingly straight, complimented by fits that are precise with no deviation in the door, hood and trunk gaps. The 543 G Strawberry Metallic paint is a subtle shade of color that presents differently and spectacularly in various lighting conditions. The chrome is in a “like new” condition throughout with rubber and trim pieces exhibiting great attention paid to even the smallest of details, details normally relegated to afterthoughts in the majority of restorations that 300SL’s undergo. Original “prototype” features present on the body, exclusive to the early cars, have been faithfully represented in the work done by Hjeltness, something that is often not the case when these early examples get restored. These unique body features include the beaded welting of the bolt-on eyebrows, the unique flat topped bumper guards, a 9 piece hand-made concave barrel in the grille and experimental “scoop” handles under the “Gullwing” doors to aid in opening.
The interior of the car adds further accents of authentic detail with quality present throughout. The leather elements, including the dash, seats and door sills, have been expertly applied and shows almost no wear, while the green plaid seats add a traditional flair that has come to be almost uniquely associated with the 300SL Coupe. No element of the interior has been left unattended including all trim pieces and knobs with no short cuts in the restorative pursuits. The headliner, often a spot of first inspection on a Gullwing for judging the overall quality of upholstery work, has been precisely laid down. The car retains its original, long “gooseneck shifter” that comes out from beneath the dash, a feature that was standard on this car from new and also perhaps the rarest delivery feature on a 300SL Gullwing, only original to the first 50 or so cars. Everything in the interior has been restored to enviable show quality standard that match the cosmetic quality of the exterior.
The engine bay presents in show quality condition throughout, and perhaps more importantly embodies a true attention to detail rarely seen in a 300SL restoration, let alone one with so many interesting and distinguishing traits. Upon inspection, one immediately notices that the valve cover is not painted and is a rough-hewn metal alloy, as it was when delivered. On the vast majority of production Gullwings, this is a magnesium casing with a smooth painted surface. Also of note, the centrally located chassis strut is welded, not fastened by bolts, a feature closely aligned with the design of the 1952 Mercedes race cars…a feature later changed in an effort to ease the process of engine removal for servicing. The trained eye will find many other subtle details in the engine bay that speak to early production nature of Gullwing no. 20, all of which has been purposely restored as originally delivered in 1954.
Mechanically, the car has a driving capability that is every bit the equal of its stunning good looks. Everything performs tightly, ventilation is very good and it has clearly been sorted to be a performer on the road, not merely eye-candy. Often a side note, the underside of the car puts an exclamation point on the thoroughness Hjeltness applied in their restorative pursuits of a show winning car. Everything on the bottom of the car is “like new” and even the belly pans have been restored to a show quality finish, remaining in an unblemished condition to this day due to the very limited use and proper storage the car has seen since completion. Every nut, bolt and screw on the car has been finely attended to and is correct for the model, a restoration regimen deserving of recognition from even the most experienced of 300SL veteran aficionados.
The well deserved reputation Hjeltness Restorations has accrued over the years as one of the very best restoration shops in the world is enough to conclude with. Pictures speak a thousand words and an in person experience with Chassis no. 20 cements all that has been detailed above. This is simply one of the finest restored 300SL’s we’ve come across in our over 40+ years of servicing, buying, selling and restoring these artifacts of German motoring history.
