Back in 1970, long before the internet and instant access to classic car listings, finding a dream car required dedication and a keen eye. For enthusiasts like myself, the Sunday New York Times classifieds were a treasure trove, a weekly ritual of scouring the “old car section.” While many listings, especially those featuring Duesenbergs priced upwards of $50,000, were financially out of reach for a medical student, the dream of owning a historically significant and beautifully designed sports car remained. My father, a family doctor with a deep appreciation for automotive history, had instilled in me this very passion.
My dad, content with serving our community from his modest home office, operated on a different scale than the high-priced Duesenbergs. A glance at his 1956 patient logbook reveals the reality of his practice – house calls and office visits at $3-4 a pop. Yet, these humble beginnings were interwoven with my early automotive education. After house calls, our adventures often led us to local junkyards and used car lots. Even then, in the mid-1950s, cars from the 1930s – barely 20 years old – held a certain allure, and my father’s foresight helped me recognize their potential future importance, especially those with classic sporting lines that would eventually capture the hearts of serious collectors.
Returning to the New York Times, one particular ad caught my eye: a 1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing for sale. This wasn’t just any Gullwing; it boasted low mileage – less than 30,000 miles – desirable Rudge wheels, and was described as being in excellent condition. The seller, a pool builder, had acquired the car in a trade but discovered it wasn’t quite the practical family vehicle his wife desired. Terms like “too difficult to manage, hot, and not particularly useful for uxorial duties” painted a clear picture.
Fortuitously, 1970 was a time when the value of these iconic cars was relatively low. A phone call later, a deal was struck. I had saved enough cash – $3,500 in “green” – to meet the asking price. I immediately called my girlfriend Jackie for a ride, knowing I would be driving my dream car home. The transaction was swift, and the Mercedes Benz Sl300 Gullwing was indeed in remarkable condition, a testament to its enduring quality and careful ownership. Over the years, despite being my daily driver, parked on city streets and even suffering the theft of its Becker radio during a hospital emergency, the car has remarkably stood the test of time.
When I proudly showed my father the newly acquired Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing, his reaction was understated. He didn’t say much, but his lack of objection, especially considering I had financed it myself, spoke volumes. He understood the allure.
A couple of months later, while driving past Jerry’s Used Cars, a local lot in our less affluent neighborhood, I spotted something unexpected: another Mercedes Benz Gullwing. This black beauty sat incongruously amidst the typical American used cars. On my way to visit Dad, I mentioned the sighting. His response was a gentle, “Well, we don’t need two of them.” A perfectly reasonable sentiment, I thought.
Life went on, and I continued to enjoy my Gullwing. Then, about two months after spotting the black Mercedes Benz SL300 at Jerry’s, I noticed it was gone. Curiosity piqued, I asked Jerry about it. With a knowing smirk, he revealed, “Your dad bought it!”
Returning home, the “game was up.” My father led me to the garage where he had already begun lavishing attention on his new purchase. The black Gullwing, remarkably, still wore its original paint, giving it a fresh-from-the-factory appearance. The bill of sale revealed he had paid $4,750 – a sum significantly higher than my $3,500. In my youthful exuberance, I felt a slight sense of triumph at having secured the better deal!
However, my father ultimately had more time to relish his Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing. While my medical studies consumed my days, he dedicated himself to restoring and showcasing his car. He proudly entered it in local car shows, and as seen in a photograph from the 1971 New Hope Auto Show, he even won first prize. The photograph captures his beaming face, a mix of pride and joy.
Today, both of these remarkable Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwings are proudly displayed at the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, a testament to a shared passion and a unique father-son story intertwined with automotive history.
Note: Adjusting for inflation, $3,500 in 1970 equates to approximately $21,000 USD today, and $4,750 is roughly $28,000 USD.
