Unveiled in 2021, the recent-era Mercedes-Benz SL traces its roots to a race-bred coupe that has turn out to be very sought-just after. The 300SL surprised the entire world with its gullwing doors when it landed in 1954, and a a single-of-a-kind instance is about to cross the auction block.
One of the highlights from Mecum’s Glendale 2023 sale is a 1955 300SL assigned chassis selection 5500263. One of about 1,400 models constructed from 1954 to 1957, it can be reportedly the only illustration concluded in Mittelgrün (Medium Environmentally friendly) with a grey leather interior. Mecum notes that this SL was initially sent in New York. Though its to start with couple of decades on the highway keep on being a mystery, the coupe joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Foundation’s collection in January 1973 and stayed there for a very long time.
This one particular-of-a-type SL is stated to have received a finish restoration in the late 2000s. The race track’s museum taken care of the bulk of the function but some of the fit and finish was outsourced to California-dependent Mercedes-Benz professional Scott Grundfor Enterprise. The list of get the job done done includes honing the cylinders, rebuilding the gasoline-injection pump, and reupholstering the interior. New window seals ended up mounted, the shiny exterior trim parts were polished, and the suspension method was overhauled. All explained to, this SL appears to be as great as it did in 1955 (if not superior). It can be not completely primary, though — the inside coloration was transformed from grey to beige in the course of the restoration.
One particular fascinating position is that early SLs were not normally worthwhile and sought-right after. There was a period when they ended up simply deemed cool old autos, and some finished up modified, driven into the floor, or both equally. This one has seemingly been spared: Mecum promises it is still driven by the initial, quantities-matching 3.-liter straight-six that sends 225 horsepower to the rear wheels through a four-pace manual transmission.
When the restoration operate was finished, the SL returned to Indianapolis and was occasionally exhibited in the track’s museum concerning 2015 and 2020. It is really now wanting for a new residence, and it truly is remaining offered with various documents (such as a copy of the manufacturing facility establish sheet), images taken for the duration of the restoration system, and a handful of spare components. Adding a contact of eco-friendly to your collection will demand forking over a substantial amount of environmentally friendly: Mecum expects that this 1955 300SL will offer for any where involving $1,850,000 and $2,000,000.
If which is much too a great deal, or if classic Mercedes-Benz models usually are not your cup of (green) tea, the auction catalog involves anything for each and every fanatic. One more spotlight is a 1990 Ferrari F40 with just 3,413 miles it could sell for as a lot as $3.5 million. How about a 1956 Ford flatbed? It really is made available with no reserve, and you can preserve on shipping and delivery by putting a further classic on the back just before driving dwelling. American roadsters are well represented, you will find everything from a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette (that’s the 1st calendar year of output) to a 2004 Cadillac XLR, and you can find a shocking quantity of present day motor vehicles like a 2022 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Individually, I’d acquire the 1967 Alfa Romeo Duetto.
Mecum’s Glendale 2023 sale operates March 28 to April 1 in Glendale, Arizona.