Following Mercedes-Benz’s triumphant performance in motorsports with the W194, including victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana, the German marque sought to bring a taste of this racing pedigree to the road. Recognizing the burgeoning American market and spurred by the insistence of New York importer Max Hoffman, the W198 was born. This model, swiftly christened the 300 SL and affectionately known as the “Gullwing” for its iconic doors, made its debut at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York. Remarkably, the 300 SL marked the first time a Mercedes-Benz was unveiled to the world outside its home country, highlighting the importance of the US market from the outset.
Just a year into its production, Dr. Fritz Nallinger, Mercedes-Benz’s chief engineer, envisioned a more focused, competition-oriented version of the W198. His proposal was for a special “competition” variant aimed at privateer and amateur racers eager to push their 300 SLs to their performance limits. In February 1954, Dr. Nallinger successfully convinced the board to greenlight this special-order model. Marketed with typical German understatement as Leichtmetallausführung – or Light Metal Version – this “Alloy” Gullwing was far more than a cosmetic upgrade. It was a fully realized competition machine.
The enhancements went far beyond lightweight body panels. The Alloy Gullwing boasted the more potent NSL engine, a sports-tuned suspension system, a shorter 4.11:1 rear axle ratio for quicker acceleration, lighter Rudge knock-off wheels, and even Plexiglas for the rear window and side screens to further reduce weight. This comprehensive transformation commanded a significant premium, adding $1,307 to the base price of a standard 300 SL, reflecting the extensive performance upgrades and exclusivity.
However, the high cost, coupled with stiff competition from established racing marques like Ferrari, limited the Alloy Gullwing’s production run to a mere twelve months. In total, only 29 examples of this ultra-rare, lightweight variant were ever produced, making each one an exceptionally desirable and historically significant automobile.
LIGHT METAL IN SCHWARZ: The Story of a Unique 1956 Alloy Gullwing
Chassis number 198.043.5500872, completed on January 12, 1956, holds a special place within the Alloy Gullwing lineage. It was the 26th alloy-bodied Gullwing to emerge from the Untertürkheim production line, and notably, the first completed in the 1956 calendar year. Adding to its distinctiveness, this particular car is the only one of these already rare vehicles finished in Schwarz (DB 40), or black, creating a striking contrast with its sumptuous Red leather (1079) interior. Its original data card, a copy of which accompanies its history, meticulously details the Leichtmetallausführung specifications: the alloy body, NSL engine, sports suspension, Rudge wheels, and more. It also notes additional features, including a windshield washer system, special-order paint with extra paint for touch-ups, and a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio, suggesting a slightly different performance focus compared to the standard Alloy configuration.
Just four days after completion, on January 16th, this exceptional 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Alloy departed the factory, destined for Milanese agent Saporiti. From there, it is believed to have been delivered to none other than Luigi Chinetti. Chinetti was a legendary figure in the automotive world, having achieved victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver before becoming Ferrari’s North American importer and establishing the renowned North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.). It is speculated that Chinetti commissioned this Alloy Gullwing to directly compare Mercedes-Benz’s top offering against the Ferraris he was then representing, a testament to the 300SL’s standing in the high-performance car world.
A Hidden Treasure: Decades in Solitude
The story of this unique 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Alloy takes another intriguing turn when Rudi Klein enters the picture. Rudi Klein, a collector of significant vehicles, encountered Luigi Chinetti at the 1976 Daytona 500. An agreement was reached for Klein to purchase the Alloy Gullwing for $30,000, with a deposit placed that very day. An invoice from Luigi Chinetti Motors, dated August 30, 1976, confirms the impending final payment and delivery. However, correspondence from Hagwood Trucking indicates the car wasn’t actually collected from Chinetti until March 1977, adding a layer of complexity to its history.
Photographs from the time of Rudi Klein’s acquisition show the Gullwing in silver, retaining its original red leather interior. In a letter, Klein himself noted the car was “sound [with] no damage,” and still equipped with its radio, spare tire, and knock-off wheels. Another photograph captures its arrival at Porche Foreign Auto, Klein’s junkyard business.
Remarkably, despite owning a diverse collection of significant automobiles, the Klein family believes this Alloy Gullwing was unique in that Rudi never drove or publicly exhibited it. Upon arrival from Chinetti, it was placed within the main building of the junkyard and remained hidden from the world, undisturbed, until its unveiling at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2024 – nearly 50 years later. Over time, some parts were unfortunately separated from the car, including the front bumpers, shift knob, tool kit, jack, and spare wheel. Nevertheless, with 73,387 kilometers (approximately 45,600 miles) recorded, the car remains remarkably original and genuine. It retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and front spindles, all verified against the data card. Even its four road wheels bear matching date codes, and the factory alloy bodywork still displays the body number “26” in multiple locations, confirming its authenticity. Few competition cars of this era, often raced and damaged, have survived in such a well-preserved and original state.
The only readily apparent damage is a dent in the rear, a consequence of Rudi Klein reportedly backing into the Gullwing with a forklift in 1981. While not entirely “lost” to automotive historians, as it was listed in 300 SL registries, chassis number 198.043.5500872 was, in essence, inaccessible for decades, hidden within the confines of Porche Foreign Auto. It may very well be the most secretive car within a collection known for its reclusiveness, spending almost 50 years largely within a single building on the property. Now, this unrestored “Alloy” Gullwing, formerly owned by Luigi Chinetti and uniquely finished in black, emerges as a car with an undeniably singular and captivating history, ready for its next chapter. Just be mindful of that forklift dent – a quirky reminder of its long and fascinating journey.
