Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed nowBy subscribing, you are agreeing to the privacy policy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Barnebys HQ
Brahegatan 10
BOX 5038
114 37 Stockholm
All auctions / Vehicles / 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ - Fully documented history since leaving the factory by Eric Lemoine - One of approximately 400 cars supplied new with Rudge wheels, optional fitted suitcase- - Original engine and colour - In the Hommel collection for 27 years - Purchased directly from Mercedes-Benz Classic in Felbach - Has taken part three times in the Mille Miglia Storica Previously owned by the famous racing driver Klaus Ludwig Of the 1400 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings built, few can lay claim to a history file allowing each period in its life to be retraced so accurately. It was for this precise reason that, following much patient research, Guido Hommel bought chassis 5500620 from Mercedes-Benz Classic at Fellbach in 1999. The assembly of this car was completed on 10 August 1955 and six days later, it headed for the port at Bremen to be shipped to Mercedes-Benz Distributors Inc. New York in the US, as its works production card confirms. This precious document confirms that it was finished in ‘Silver Grey Metallic’ (code DB 180) with a ‘standard’ interior in blue-grey chequered gabardine (code L1) and equipped with the desirable optional Rudge wheels, fitted to fewer than 400 cars when new, as the 300 SL historian Eric Lemoine reminded us. The options specified also included a fitted suitcase, which is still present in the car. Delivered new to Earl Umland in Chicago, it was quickly sold on to the garage Loeber Motors in Chicago, before being acquired by Frank F. Ball in Indiana. Ball kept the car for nearly 20 years and had it restored in 1974/75: it was completely repainted in its original colour, the upholstery was retrimmed in black leather and light grey cloth, the engine and transmission were restored by Mercedes-Benz and the fuel-injection pump was overhauled by Bosch. Two period photographs show the car as it emerged from restoration in 1975. In January 1978, the car was given a minor service by the Gullwing Service Company, before being sold on 25 April 1979, with 44,300 miles recorded, for the sum of $30,000 to Alex Dearborn, a specialist in 1950s Mercedes, who resold it the same day. It then had three further owners, the last of them a New Yorker, before the 300 SL was exported to Switzerland on 3 May 1985. Hans Huerlimmann became its owner in 1987, but did not register the car and sold it on 28 April 1989 to Kai Schwanke, who imported it into Germany and kept it for five years. The company ER Sportwagen subsequently continued to look after it, then in 1998, chassis 5500620 was bought, through Mercedes-Benz Classic at Fellbach, by the famous German racing driver Klaus Ludwig, who that year won the World FIA GT Championship driving a Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR. It bears repeating that Ludwig, as well as winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times and the Nürburgring 24 Hours on three occasions, was a three-time DTM champion and two-time DRM champion and has one of the most impressive records in world motorsport. Finally, in March 1999, Guido Hommel bought the car through Mercedes-Benz Classic. It was in remarkable condition, with a slight patina, still in its original colour, and with its patinated interior that was retrimmed in the mid-1970s. Having always been well looked after, it was still fitted with its original engine, and the five Rudge wheels dated from July 1955, which is consistent with the date it left the factory. The car had clearly been little used since it was restored. It was nonetheless given a full service in the collection’s own workshop, in readiness for the Mille Miglia Storico in 2000. On his return from this event, Hommel admitted to us that he had reached 240km/h with alarming ease! Having performed wonderfully on the event, the 300 SL was entered again for the 2003 and 2019 editions. The keystone of the collection, the 300 SL has been the subject of careful care and maintenance, keeping it ready to be driven in any circumstances, as we were able to confirm during a lengthy test drive with its owner. With its well set-up engine, the car drives beautifully and still has stunning performance. Few 300 SL Gullwings offer such a consistent patina and are at the same time as pleasant to drive; these qualities are the hallmark of a car that has led a quiet life with considerate, expert owners, who were aware that they had in their hands a genuine work of art. Will you be the next? Photos © Peter Singhof
Estimate:£933,071.7
To the auctionEstimate:
£933,071.7
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
OCT 8 | 3:00 PM
Bring your auction to collectors worldwide!
Get listed now
£34,257.2
OCT 17 | 10:00 PM
