PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis No. 4500056 Engine No. 4500059 Silver with black leather interior Engine: six cylinder, in line, 2,996cc, 240bhp; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: hydraulic drum; Suspension: independent front and rear. Left hand drive. When Mercedes-Benz returned to motor racing in 1952, they dominated the major long distance sports car events with futuristically styled 300 SL race cars. Considerable pressure and a guaranteed 1,000 orders from the Mercedes New York agent convinced Stuttgart to produce a street version of the 300 SL Gullwing, duly launched at the New York Motor Show to ecstatic acclaim. It closely resembled the race cars except that, with all-steel bodywork, appropriate road equipment and larger doors, it was even more stunning. To resolve the carburetor location problems, it was the first production car to have Bosch direct fuel injection, with a resultant increase in power to 240bhp. This early Gullwing was shipped to the U.S.A on November 8, 1954. Records indicate that an early owner lived in Rhode Island and for twenty years or so, prior to the current ownership, the car resided in the Massachusetts area. From time to time, the car was serviced at Paul Russell & Co. Originally supplied with silver coachwork and red leather interior, this interior today is finished in black leather. At some point, the original welting over the wheel arches, which distinguish many of the 1954 cars, was filled in. It has been regularly driven by its current owner and is currently showing just over 80,000 miles. A new exhaust system has been fitted as well as a modern Blaupunkt radio.
PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN 1954 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis No. 4500056 Engine No. 4500059 Silver with black leather interior Engine: six cylinder, in line, 2,996cc, 240bhp; Gearbox: four speed manual; Brakes: hydraulic drum; Suspension: independent front and rear. Left hand drive. When Mercedes-Benz returned to motor racing in 1952, they dominated the major long distance sports car events with futuristically styled 300 SL race cars. Considerable pressure and a guaranteed 1,000 orders from the Mercedes New York agent convinced Stuttgart to produce a street version of the 300 SL Gullwing, duly launched at the New York Motor Show to ecstatic acclaim. It closely resembled the race cars except that, with all-steel bodywork, appropriate road equipment and larger doors, it was even more stunning. To resolve the carburetor location problems, it was the first production car to have Bosch direct fuel injection, with a resultant increase in power to 240bhp. This early Gullwing was shipped to the U.S.A on November 8, 1954. Records indicate that an early owner lived in Rhode Island and for twenty years or so, prior to the current ownership, the car resided in the Massachusetts area. From time to time, the car was serviced at Paul Russell & Co. Originally supplied with silver coachwork and red leather interior, this interior today is finished in black leather. At some point, the original welting over the wheel arches, which distinguish many of the 1954 cars, was filled in. It has been regularly driven by its current owner and is currently showing just over 80,000 miles. A new exhaust system has been fitted as well as a modern Blaupunkt radio.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
