“The 300 SL is prophecy incarnate. It’s a pace-setter, a style-setter, a design conception that is bound to influence the world’s automotive industry for many years to come… Literally, the 300 SL is a car of the future that can be possessed today…it’s just about impossible to duplicate what the 300SL has to offer at any price.”
—Griff Borgeson, Sports Cars Illustrated, April 1956
For collectors of vintage automobiles, the pursuit of owning a truly unique piece of history often culminates in acquiring the “last” of a celebrated model. This distinction, whether achieved through sheer luck, persistent searching, or privileged access, elevates ownership to an unparalleled level. In the realm of highly sought-after collectibles, securing the final example can become a decades-long quest, involving significant investment and unwavering dedication. This pursuit is further intensified when considering iconic models, often safeguarded in museums or private collections, seemingly beyond reach.
The chance to possess the last of anything, especially an automotive legend, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Among these legends, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing stands as a paragon of automotive excellence. Frequently hailed as the “sportscar of the century,” the Mercedes Benz Sl300 Gullwing captivates with its breathtaking aesthetics, groundbreaking engineering, and exhilarating performance. It remains, undeniably, the most significant and universally admired automobile produced by Mercedes-Benz throughout their illustrious history.
Alt text: Profile view of a classic Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing showcasing its iconic gullwing doors and sleek design.
This article delves into the enduring legacy of the Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing, focusing on what makes it so special and examining a particularly significant example: “The Last Gullwing.” This car embodies the culmination of the model’s triumphs, its undeniable glamour, and its lasting greatness.
The Widespread Phenomenon of the 300 SL Gullwing
The Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing’s impact on 20th-century culture transcends the realm of motorsport. Its widespread influence is partly due to its relatively substantial production numbers. Between 1954 and 1957, Mercedes-Benz manufactured 1,400 Gullwing examples, with a significant portion seeing competitive action on racetracks worldwide.
Instantly recognizable due to its striking and unconventional design – a direct result of its lightweight spaceframe chassis inherited from the dominant W194 and W196 racing sports cars of 1952 and 1954 – the road-going 300 SL Gullwing achieved remarkable ubiquity. It permeated popular culture, appearing in films, gracing prestigious avenues like Mulholland Drive and the Champs-Élysées, and even venturing to the Arctic Circle. It was equally at home on display at motor shows and conquering the grueling conditions of race circuits. In contrast to other highly collectible mid-century exotics such as the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, BMW 507, Lamborghini Miura, and Jaguar XKSS, the 300 SL Gullwing was remarkably present and visible.
Alt text: Front three-quarter view of a Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing highlighting its distinctive grille, headlamps, and powerful stance.
The Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing’s close technical and visual relationship with its racing sibling, the 300 SLR racing sports car of 1955, further enhanced its appeal. While the production Gullwing is often considered the “first supercar,” its 3.0-liter SLR counterpart has been labeled the “first hypercar.” The 300 SLR achieved astonishing speeds exceeding 180 mph, thanks to its ultra-lightweight magnesium body and 300-horsepower engine. In a testament to its unparalleled value, RM Sotheby’s sold the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe in 2022 on behalf of Mercedes-Benz for an astounding $142 million, establishing it as the most valuable car in history. This racing heritage directly contributed to the Gullwing’s desirability and prestige.
Beyond the sports pages, the Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing frequently appeared in entertainment news, becoming synonymous with socialites, business magnates, movie stars, and royalty. The Gullwing was also a canvas for personal expression. Owners could customize their vehicles with a vast array of color combinations and factory optional extras, further enhancing its exclusivity and appeal.
Alt text: Detailed interior shot of a Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing showcasing its luxurious leather seats, classic steering wheel, and driver-focused cockpit.
The technologically advanced Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing’s racing pedigree resulted in numerous victories at premier international sports car races, along with amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. Remarkably, the Gullwing achieved these motorsport accolades while simultaneously establishing itself as one of the most elegant, stylish, and coveted automobiles of the 20th century – a machine often described as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
“The Last Gullwing”: A Final Chapter in an Iconic Story
On May 15, 1957, Mercedes-Benz completed chassis 7500079, “The Last Gullwing.” This singular automobile marked the definitive conclusion of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing production, a model whose iconic status has remained unchallenged and unsurpassed.
“The Last Gullwing” began its journey as a special-order Standwagen, initially showcased by Mercedes-Benz at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair. Subsequently, on September 27, 1957, it was dispatched to the Mercedes-Benz distribution network in the United States. While specific details of any further exhibition appearances between the Poznan Fair’s conclusion on June 29th and its American dispatch remain undocumented, it is known that by the time 7500079 was released from its show duties, the Mercedes-Benz factory had already commenced production of the succeeding 300 SL Roadster.
Intriguingly, factory data card copies accompanying “The Last Gullwing” reveal its original specification: Fire Engine Red (DB 534) exterior over a special-order full Crème leather (1060) interior, complemented by English instrumentation, sealed beam headlamps, bumper covers, and, owing to its extended factory stay, a set of wider 15 x 5½ -inch Kronprinz wheels, typically fitted to the 300 SL Roadster.
Alt text: Rear angle of a Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing emphasizing its rounded lines, taillights, and dual exhaust pipes.
Despite its extraordinary significance and inherent uniqueness, “The Last Gullwing” spent its early years in America in relative obscurity. However, this exceptionally original and correct example has enjoyed a fortunate existence, cherished by a limited lineage of only four recorded owners since new. “The Last Gullwing” retains its factory-correct color combination and boasts matching numbers for its chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front axles. Its rear axle, numbered 7500024, is also believed to be original, although factory data card copies record its number as simply “324.”
After more than 25 years under the stewardship of its most recent private custodian, “The Last Gullwing” emerged from its private life. Beautifully restored over several years, the car made its debut at the prestigious 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This marked the first instance of the Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing being accepted into this highly selective event. The judges and attendees recognized the exceptional quality of 7500079, awarding it 3rd in Class – a remarkable debut and a testament to the meticulousness of its restoration.
Despite its undisputed status as Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated and successful production model, the iconic 300 SL Gullwing has maintained its prominent position in the automotive world for seven decades. This enduring appeal stems not merely from its Hollywood glamour, motorsport triumphs, or captivating beauty, but from its embodiment of an ideal: the pursuit of automotive perfection.
“The Last Gullwing,” unrivaled in its provenance and significance as the final example of the famed super-leicht, offers an ownership opportunity that transcends mere possession. To be associated with this Gullwing is to be linked to its inherent greatness and the collective achievements of the model and those who contributed to its legendary status.
Much like Michael Jordan’s final game-worn jersey, Babe Ruth’s last home run ball, Diego Maradona’s final pair of cleats, or Picasso’s ultimate masterpiece, “The Last Gullwing” represents a transcendent ideal of collecting. To possess the “last” of an era-defining icon is to hold a tangible piece of history itself – a legacy embodied by the Mercedes Benz SL300 Gullwing.
