Scott Grundfor Company - Classic Collectible Mercedes Benz Cars

SOLD 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe

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Offered for the first time in over 40 years, this documented and impressively kept 300SL Gullwing presents as when delivered new in 1955, dressed in its original iconic color combination of DB 180 silver gray metallic and trimmed with a blue vinyl dash accompanied by blue plaid fabric seats. A high quality example of the Mercedes-Benz W198 Coupe with only 58,000 original miles and a bright future of driving adventure on the road ahead of it.

Highlights

  • Chassis no. 198.0405500624. 
  • Engine no. 198.9805500607. 
  • Body no. 198.0405500604. 
  • Matching numbers
  • DB 180 silver-gray metallic paint
  • Blue vinyl dash with blue plaid seats 
  • Restored in original colors
  • US Delivery 
  • Known ownership history from new
  • Original concave star
  • Original belly pans
  • Original jack and spare
  • 58,035 miles

 

300SL Gullwing History

Chassis 5500624 left the factory on August 16th, 1955, destined for Mercedes-Benz Distributors of New York, New York and painted in the classic Silver Arrows racing color of DB 180 silver gray metallic with plaid fabric seats and a blue vinyl dash. According to the Gullwing Group Registry, along with paperwork accompanying the car, this lovely 300SL Coupe was sold new to a Dr. Ruddy of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Ruddy owned the car for several years, eventually selling to American Motors Distributor representative Tim Eaton of Hingham, Massachusetts. In 1964, with the car showing only 19,000 miles, Donald Jordan of Alton, New Hampshire acquired the 300SL from Mr. Eaton, himself owning the car for the next 14 years. In 1978, Mr. Jordan sold the car to Bob Bondzul of Classic Auto Restoration Services, Inc in St. Petersburg, Florida with 54,000 miles on the odometer. On September 28th, 1979, Mr. Bondzul would sell the car to the most recent private owner based out of Westlake Village, California. Since then, the car has been kept in this climate controlled private California collection, now offered for the first time in over 40 years. 

1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe

In December of 1993, a detailed professional appraisal accompanying the car notes chassis 5500624 as in a generally excellent condition, at the time painted blue with a reupholstered blue leather interior, the result of previous cosmetic restoration work done in 1978 by Classic Auto Restoration Services of St. Petersburg, Florida and further paint work done at the behest of the most recent private owner in 1983. Upon appraisal, the mileage indicated was 56,438 and the car was noted as retaining original belly pans along with the original California blue plate number 196YLR, all remaining with the car today.

1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe

In 1995, restoration work commenced on this 55′ Gullwing with the goal of returning the car to its original glory, with a bare metal repaint in the as-delivered DB 180 silver gray metallic along with a completely new interior, also in the original specification of blue vinyl dash with blue plaid fabric seats. Today, the paint is in lovely condition with only a very mild patina accrued from the less than 2,000 miles the car has covered since the car was returned to its original color scheme. The interior, due in part to an additional blue leather seat that has been used during driving excursions, remains in beautiful condition with strain required to find evidence of wear. The fits and finishes across all cosmetic surfaces, on the exterior and interior, all show the hallmarks of a car best described as a superb driver quality 300SL. There are photographs retained in the history file showing the car in bare metal prior to paint application as well as images of the upholstery work in process.

1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe

Further to the cosmetic condition of the car, the engine bay remains in a very well maintained and high quality condition with attention paid to the correctness of finish, a fitting match for the lovely condition of the exterior and interior cosmetics of the car. Importantly, the car retains its original “numbers matching” engine with all original tags being noted as present including chassis, engine, body and firewall. All original stamping are also present and unaltered throughout the car. Upon inspection by Scott Grundfor Company it was also noted that the car retains its original numbers matching transmission. The undercarriage of the car remains largely original, an area of this beautiful Gullwing that has been the clear recipient of long-term, earnest care with frequent service and cleaning performed over the years. 

1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe

Mechanically, this Gullwing is a performer on the road and remains not only a suitable candidate for daily driving, but also as a long distance touring option if called upon. Of note, the car was mechanically attended to by Hjeltness Restorations of Escondido, California in 2012. As documented by receipts accompanying the car, included in this mechanical freshening performed by Hjeltness was a full rebuild of the transmission, replacement of the rear shocks and an overhaul of the brake systems. Other minor items were attended to and serviced at this time as well. Recently, the car has been attended to by Scott Grundfor Company through a full servicing along with test driving for sorting purposes.

1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe

Offered for the first time in over 40 years, this well documented and impressively kept 300SL Gullwing presents as when delivered new in 1955, dressed in its original iconic color combination of DB 180 silver gray metallic and trimmed with a blue vinyl dash accompanied by blue plaid fabric seats. A high quality example of the Mercedes-Benz W198 Coupe with only 58,000 original miles and a bright future of driving adventure on the road ahead of it. 

1955 Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Coupe

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Scott Grundfor Company - Classic Collectible Mercedes Benz Cars