“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
Owning the definitive last example of a collectible, especially one as revered as a classic car, is an unparalleled distinction. It’s a claim to uniqueness, a possession that no one else in the world can replicate. In the realm of vintage automobiles, securing the final piece of a coveted model can be a pursuit spanning decades, often involving substantial investment, if the vehicle is even accessible to private collectors and not permanently enshrined in a museum or corporate collection. The chance to acquire the “last” of an iconic sports car is a truly exceptional opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime event.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, often hailed as the “sportscar of the century,” stands as a monument in automotive history. Celebrated for its breathtaking aesthetics, groundbreaking engineering, and exhilarating performance, the 300 SL Gullwing transcends the realm of mere collectible cars. It is unequivocally the most significant and universally admired vehicle ever produced by Mercedes-Benz, a brand synonymous with automotive excellence.
Presented here is “The Last Gullwing,” a unique specimen that embodies the iconic status of this model. Owning this car is not just acquiring a vehicle; it’s inheriting a legacy of victory, glamour, and automotive greatness.
A Global Icon: The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s Enduring Appeal
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s impact on 20th-century culture extends far beyond motorsport, largely due to its relatively significant production numbers. Between 1954 and 1957, Mercedes-Benz manufactured approximately 1,400 Gullwings, with many seeing action on racetracks worldwide.
Instantly recognizable for its striking and unconventional design – a direct consequence of its lightweight spaceframe, derived from the dominant W194 and W196 racing sports cars of 1952 and 1954 – the road-going 300 SL Gullwing achieved remarkable ubiquity. It graced the silver screen, cruised down Mulholland Drive, paraded along the Champs-Élysées, and even ventured to the Arctic Circle. From pristine motor show floors to the mud-splattered winner’s circles, the Gullwing was omnipresent. In contrast to other highly collectible mid-century exotics like the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, BMW 507, Lamborghini Miura, and Jaguar XKSS, the 300 SL Gullwing was remarkably accessible and visible.
The 300 SL Gullwing’s close technical and visual relationship with its racing sibling, the 300 SLR racing sports car of 1955, further enhanced its allure. While the production Gullwing is often considered the “first supercar,” its 3.0-liter SLR counterpart could be argued as the “first hypercar,” achieving unprecedented speeds exceeding 180 mph thanks to its lightweight magnesium body and 300-horsepower engine. In 2022, RM Sotheby’s facilitated the sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, for a record-breaking $142 million, solidifying its position as the most valuable car in history.
Beyond sports pages, the 300 SL frequently appeared in entertainment news, associated with socialites, business magnates, movie stars, and royalty. The 300 SL was also a canvas for personalization, offering owners a wide array of color combinations and factory options.
The technologically advanced 300 SL’s racing pedigree earned it countless victories in prestigious sports car races and amateur championships. Yet, remarkably, the Gullwing achieved these triumphs while also being celebrated as one of the most elegant, stylish, and desirable automobiles of the 20th century – often described as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
“The Last Gullwing”: Chassis 7500079 – The Ultimate Collectible
On May 15, 1957, Mercedes-Benz completed chassis 7500079, the final 300 SL Gullwing, marking the end of an era for Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic model. Its legendary status remains unchallenged.
“The Last Gullwing,” chassis number 7500079, began its journey as a special-order Standwagen, initially displayed by Mercedes-Benz at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair. On September 27, 1957, it was dispatched to the United States Mercedes-Benz distribution network. While further exhibition appearances between the Poznan Fair’s conclusion on June 29 and its American shipment remain undocumented, it’s known that by the time 7500079 was released from its promotional duties, the Mercedes-Benz factory had already commenced production of its successor, the 300 SL Roadster.
Intriguingly, factory data card copies accompanying “The Last Gullwing” indicate an original specification of Fire Engine Red (DB 534) exterior with a special-order full Crème leather (1060) interior. It also featured 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 reserved for the 300 SL Roadster.
Despite its extraordinary significance, “The Last Gullwing” spent its early years in America in relative obscurity. However, this exceptionally unique and meticulously preserved vehicle has enjoyed a fortunate existence, cherished by only four recorded owners from new. “The Last Gullwing” retains its factory-correct color scheme and numbers-matching chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front axles. Its rear axle, numbered 7500024, is also believed to be original, although factory records list it as simply “324.”
Offered from its most recent private custodian of over 25 years, “The Last Gullwing” underwent a beautiful restoration, completed by its owner over several years. This meticulous restoration earned it an invitation to the prestigious 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, marking the model’s debut at this highly selective event. Judges and attendees alike were captivated by 7500079, awarding it 3rd in Class – a remarkable achievement and a testament to the restoration’s quality.
Despite its undisputed position as Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated production model, the iconic 300 SL Gullwing has captivated enthusiasts for seven decades. Its appeal transcends fleeting trends, representing not just Hollywood glamour, motorsport glory, or aesthetic beauty, but a timeless ideal: the pursuit of perfection.
“The Last Gullwing,” unparalleled in provenance and historical significance, offers an ownership opportunity that transcends mere possession. To be seen in this Gullwing is to be associated with the model’s enduring greatness and the legacy of those who contributed to its success.
Just as Michael Jordan’s final game-worn jersey, Babe Ruth’s last home run ball, Diego Maradona’s final cleats, or Picasso’s ultimate masterpiece hold immeasurable value, “The Last Gullwing” embodies a transcendent ideal of collecting. To possess the “last” of an era-defining icon is to hold a tangible piece of history itself.
