Back in 1970, long before the internet and instant access to classic car listings, finding a vintage gem was an adventure. Enthusiasts relied on scouring newspaper classifieds, like the Sunday New York Times, which thankfully featured a dedicated section for pre-owned vehicles, mostly concentrated in the Northeast. For a young medical student at the time, like myself, the dream cars advertised, often Duesenbergs and similar grand marques, were financially unattainable, exceeding $50,000 – a fortune then.
My automotive desires leaned towards something more practical yet equally captivating. Influenced by my father’s deep appreciation for automotive history, sporting pedigree, and elegant design, I sought a car that embodied these qualities. My father, a dedicated family physician, operated from a modest office within our home, prioritizing community service over wealth. His patient logbook from 1956, a simple record of $3–4 per visit, illustrates his modest earnings despite a busy practice. House calls were a routine part of his day, and as a child, these could be tedious. However, the silver lining was the subsequent visits to local junkyards and used car lots. Even in the 1950s, he recognized the potential future importance of 1930s cars, then just twenty years old. He instilled in me the understanding that vehicles with classic sporting lines often become coveted by discerning collectors.
Returning to the New York Times classifieds of 1970, an advertisement caught my eye: a 1955 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing for sale by a suburban gentleman. This particular Gullwing boasted fewer than 30,000 miles and was equipped with desirable Rudge wheels, all in excellent condition. The seller, a pool builder, had acquired the car in a business transaction but discovered it was not to his wife’s liking – deemed too unwieldy, hot, and unsuitable for her daily needs.
Fortuitously, 1970 represented a low point in the Gullwing’s market value. A phone conversation led to a swift agreement, and I managed to scrape together the $3,500 asking price in cash. I enlisted my girlfriend Jackie for a ride, knowing I would be driving the Mercedes home. The deal was sealed, and the car, then and now, remained in remarkable condition, having escaped any significant mishaps. I used it as my daily driver, parking it on city streets without a second thought. Apart from the theft of its Becker radio while parked outside a hospital during an emergency, it has remarkably weathered the decades.
Taking my father for a ride in my newly acquired Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing was a moment of pride. While his reaction was understated, I sensed his approval, especially since I had financed the purchase myself.
A couple of months later, passing by Jerry’s Used Cars in our less affluent neighborhood, I was surprised to see another Gullwing, this one in black, sitting amongst more mundane American cars. Mentioning it to my father, his response was a gentle, “Well, we don’t need two of them.” Perfectly reasonable, I thought.
Life continued with my silver Gullwing. Then, about two months later, the black Mercedes at Jerry’s was gone. “Jerry, what happened to that black Mercedes?” I inquired. With a knowing grin, he replied, “Your dad bought it!”
Returning home, the secret was out. My father led me to the garage, where he had already begun detailing his new acquisition. The black Gullwing’s original paint was in such pristine condition it appeared brand new. However, the bill of sale revealed he had paid $4,750 – significantly more than my $3,500. For a moment, I felt a slight sense of triumph at my better bargain!
As it turned out, my father derived even greater enjoyment from his Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. While I was immersed in medical studies, he dedicated himself to its upkeep, showcasing it at car events. The photograph captures him proudly accepting first prize at the 1971 New Hope Auto Show. His expression in the picture, framed by the classic car and trophy, speaks volumes. Today, both of these iconic Mercedes Gullwings are proudly displayed at the museum, testaments to a shared passion and a slice of automotive history from the 1970s.
