SOLD 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Factory Rudge With 66 Years Of Single Family Ownership

According to the factory data card accompanying this wonderfully restored, long term ownership 300SL Gullwing, the car was completed on September, 6th 1956, destined for the US market. Chassis 6500146 was shipped to Max Hoffman’s Mercedes-Benz Distributors of New York, NY, originally painted in the iconic racing color of DB180 Silver-Grey Metallic with 333 dark blue leather on the interior. Of particular note, and importantly, this Gullwing was fitted new with the most desirable of all 300SL options, Rudge “knock off” wheels. The car also came optioned with a Becker Mexico Radio with a Hirschman antenna and Reims short wave adapter.

Gullwing chassis 6500146 offers not only concours quality in its current condition as well as Rudge wheels as delivered new, but also exceptional ownership pedigree, having been delivered new to Greek shipping industry business partners George Makris and Michael Kulukundis of Brookville, NY. Once the Gullwing arrived stateside from Germany, the car would remain with Kulukundis and the Makris Family until 2022.

George Makris and his wife used the Gullwing daily for many years in the early days of their ownership with George using the car to commute to his office in Manhattan while his wife would run errands in the car from time to time around town. Indicative of just how enduring and cherished the Gullwing was within the family, its worthy to note that George Makris also owned many other sports cars over the years; this list of cars included a Dino Ferrari, Testarossa, Fastback, and many earlier-built US makes and models, all of which were sold over time. The one car that stayed through all the years, standing the test of time with the family until 2022, was the Gullwing.

In the 1990’s, chassis 6500146 was fully restored to a concours winning level by well-known 300SL expert Bob Platz of Precision Autoworks in East Camden, New Jersey. As testament to the restoration work performed on the car, this Gullwing holds a first place prize at the esteemed Meadowbrook Concours d’Elegance where it scored an elusive 100 points upon showing. Used sparingly since completion of the restoration, and always stored in a climate-controlled environment, the Gullwing has a lifetime of being cared for in its wake.

The car was fully serviced in 2022 by German Motor Car Service in Santa Monica, CA who changed the fluids, drained the fuel tank and sorted through the fuel system. More recently, the Gullwing has also been serviced by Scott Grundfor Company and the Gullwing was also shown shown at the 2022 La Jolla Concours in California, where it received the Phillip Wichard Excellence in Design award.

Today, Gullwing chassis 6500146 presents exceptionally well in a concours quality condition with just 21,858 miles recorded on the odometer, a figure said to reflect the original mileage according to the family of the late George Makris. The original, factory-installed Rudge wheels remain fitted to the car and were beautifully chromed during the restoration with Michelin XWX tires mounted. The Gullwing retains its original belly-pans, a feature often missing from 300SL Coupes today, and the original Sekurit stampings remain in place in the glass of the cabin speaking further to the  originality and the attention to detail paid to the car during the restoration process. Chassis 6500146 even retains the original headlight trim rings, both sides still sporting their well-visible Bosch engravings as the car would have come with when new.

On the interior, the original ivory-colored steering wheel is in place, as are the original VDO US market gauges and switchgear. Additionally, an original Becker Mexico radio adorns the dashboard. A 1992 Senior National First Prize Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) badge is affixed out front, noting an award from the time given, and neatly fitted in the trunk is the factory jack. The engine compartment has been restored to correct factory finishes and the car importantly retains its numbers matching engine. The car also comes with tools and owners manuals.

An exceptional W198 Coupe from all angles of approach, this 300SL Gullwing touts single-family ownership from new until 2022, authentic and award winning restoration work performed by expert 300SL restorer Bob Platz and desirable factory-installed Rudge “knock off” wheels. Chassis 6500146 is certainly well-described as an upper echelon 300SL Gullwing, one that has lived an easy life and has been treated like the road going racing artwork Mercedes-Benz designed it to be.