1957 Mercedes-Benz : SL-Class Gullwing

Seller: bid123sold
Price: $268,655
Listed: July 30th, 2006
Location: Rochester, Michigan

Introduced at the 1954 New York Auto Show - unlike previous models introduced at either the Frankfurt or Geneva shows - the 300SL was best known both for its distinctive gullwing or butterfly wing doors and for being the first-ever gasoline-powered car equipped with fuel injection directly into the combustion chamber.

The gullwing version was available from March 1955 to 1957. In Mercedes-Benz fashion, the "300" referred to the engine's cylinder displacement; in this case, three liters. The "SL" as applied to a roadster stood for "Sport Leicht" or "Sport Light."

The gullwing doors, hinged at the roof and so named because the open doors resembled a bird's outstretched wings, were implemented as such to accommodate for the car's tubular chassis, designed by DBAG's chief developing engineer, Rudolf Uhlenhaut. Part of the chassis passed through what would be the lower half of a standard door. This tubular chassis was a necessity, as the original car was designed solely for racing and needed to be as light as possible while still providing a high level of strength. This required the driver and his/her passengers to do some gymnastics to get in or out of the car, usually by sitting on and sliding across the wide door sill. A steering wheel with a tilt-away column made the process considerably easier.

Today, the 300SL with its unique doors and technological firsts is considered one of the most collectible Mercedes-Benz of all time, with prices reaching well past the $600,000 mark.

Chassis # 0043 is an original late example in stellar condition, which came originally delivered to California, with US specs in DB180 Silver over 953 Black leather interior, with matching fitted luggage and Rudge Wheels......READ MORE and SEE TWENTY ADDITIONAL PHOTOS