1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL is one of 1,400 Gullwing coupes built during three years of production and is said to have been ordered new by Franz II, Count of Erbach-Erbach and Wartenberg-Roth in Germany. Chassis 5500289 was reportedly delivered to the count at his Erbach palace on May 4, 1955, by Mercedes-Benz sales agent and former racing driver Rudolf Caracciola. Two years later, the car was sold to a US service member in Germany who drove it on tours of Europe with his wife in 1957 and 1958. After being imported to the US by an Ohio owner, the car was purchased in 1970 by a Gullwing Group member whose 35-year stewardship included continued service by marque specialist Paul Russell as well as a cosmetic refresh between the late 1970s and early 1980s. After further refurbishment work by Paul Russell in the mid-2000s, the car was purchased in 2020 by an owner who commissioned a re-trim of the seats in blue vinyl and blue plaid gabardine fabric as well as the addition of 15” Rudge wheels. Power is provided by a 3.0-liter M198 inline-six that features Bosch direct fuel injection and dry-sump lubrication. Additional equipment includes a four-speed manual transmission, servo-assisted hydraulic drum brakes, and four-wheel independent suspension with a rear swing axle. Purchased by the selling dealer in 2026, this W198 Gullwing is now offered as part of the Iconic Collection from Private Collection Motors , with a two-piece set of fitted luggage, invoices dating back to 1979, historical photos of the car, and a clean California title. The 300SL was developed upon the suggestion of US importer Max Hoffman that Mercedes produce a sports car to entice American buyers. The model was inspired by the company’s W194 sports racers, from which it inherited its upward-opening doors made necessary by the high sills of its lightweight tubular space frame. Introduced at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York, the production version of the 300SL utilized steel bodywork