1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Few sports cars have earned such universal admiration as the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing. Developed from the 300 SL racing car that announced Mercedes-Benz’s return to international competition in 1952, the production coupe made its debut at the New York International Automobile Show two years later. Its intricate tubular space frame dictated the high sills and upward-opening doors that would become its signature. Beneath the long hood, a fuel-injected, three-liter inline six gave the car performance few contemporary road cars could approach. Capable of approximately 150 mph, the Gullwing offered genuine racing-car engineering in an automobile that was also elegant, comfortable, and remarkably well suited to long-distance travel. Mercedes-Benz built 1,400 Gullwing coupes between 1954 and 1957, steadily refining the design throughout production. Early improvements included revisions to the steering and transmission, followed by the adoption of an ATE brake booster in 1955. Further development brought changes to the engine’s lubrication system and the introduction of dual-point ignition in 1956. Detail refinements accompanied these mechanical advances, preserving the car’s unmistakable appearance while improving an already sophisticated design. The final-year Gullwings benefited from this accumulated development, combining the original model’s dramatic character with the refinements introduced over the preceding three years. By the beginning of 1957, Mercedes-Benz was preparing to introduce the 300 SL Roadster. The new open model would carry the SL name forward, but the transition also marked the end of the extraordinary coupe whose doors had made it an international sensation. Just 70 Gullwings were completed between January and May of that year, representing only 5% of total production. These scarce final examples occupy a distinctive place in the model’s history: the culmination of the original closed 300 SL, a design born of competition and developed into one of the great road cars of its era. Completed in February 1957, chassis 7500019 belongs to this final group. Noted on its factory Wagenkarte as a special order, it was finished in the particularly desirable combination of Black (DB 40) over Red (1079) leather with chrome wheels. Factory records identify its original engine as no. 7500030 and its body as no. 7500019, both of which remain with the car today. Delivered new to Mercedes-Benz of Miami, Florida, it eventually made its way to California’s Bay Area, where it has resided for over 50 years. According to the registries compiled by Eric Le Moine and the Gull Wing Group, the car’s first recorded owner was Ray Metzger of San Jose. In 1972, it passed to Dr. Marcus A. Krupp of Portola Valley, a Stanford-trained physician and founder of the Palo Alto Medical Research Institute. Dr. Krupp directed the institute for more than three decades and taught at Stanford’s School of Medicine. During his ownership, he registered the Gullwing with the California blue vanity plate “CCC SL” – Roman numerals for 300 SL – which remains a charming feature of the car today. In 1997, Dr. Krupp offered the Gullwing at auction to establish a scholarship in memory of his son, David. It was acquired by Paul Violich of Kentfield, a Stanford alumnus, investment manager, and longtime supporter of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The 300 SL remained in the Bay Area throughout his ownership and subsequently passed to its current caretaker, completing a succession of just three owners since 1972. Today, chassis 7500019 presents as an honest, well-kept driver that appears to have been enjoyed and maintained as needed throughout its life. It wears an older repaint in its original black, retains some original interior elements, and shows the character of an automobile that has been cherished over time. Its original chassis, engine, and body provide an important foundation for its genuine character, complemented by its well-documented California provenance. A rare final-year Gullwing in one of the model’s most compelling factory color combinations, this 300 SL brings together mature production specification, significant original components, and a short roster of long-term Bay Area owners. For the enthusiast seeking a Gullwing to drive and appreciate, it offers an especially appealing combination of history, character, and enduring style. car

Estimate:£1,500,370

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