Following Mercedes-Benz’s triumphant victories at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans and the formidable Carrera Panamericana with the W194 race car, the German marque set its sights on creating a road-going version for discerning customers. Crucially, recognizing the significance of the American market, and with the insistence of New York importer Max Hoffman, the W198 was born. This model, swiftly christened the 300 SL and affectionately – though unofficially – known as the “Gullwing” for its iconic doors, made its grand debut at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York. Remarkably, the 300 SL holds the distinction of being the first Mercedes-Benz model ever unveiled outside its home country.
Just a year into its production, Dr. Fritz Nallinger, Mercedes-Benz’s chief engineer, proposed a special “competition” variant of the celebrated W198. This was intended for privateers and amateur racers who were already pushing their standard 300 SLs to their performance limits on the track. In February 1954, Dr. Nallinger successfully persuaded the board of directors to greenlight this special-order model, subtly marketed as Leichtmetallausführung – the Light Metal Version, or simply “Alloy.” The “Alloy” Gullwing was far more than a cosmetic upgrade. It was a fully fledged competition machine. Beyond its lightweight body, it boasted the more potent NSL engine, a sports-tuned suspension, a 4.11:1 rear axle ratio for enhanced acceleration, lighter Rudge knock-off wheels replacing the standard ones, and even Plexiglas for the rear window and side screens to further reduce weight. This extensive upgrade commanded a substantial premium of $1,307 over the base price of a standard 300 SL, highlighting its exclusivity and performance focus.
However, the elevated cost, coupled with stiff competition from established racing giants like Ferrari, curtailed the Alloy Gullwing’s production run to a mere 12 months. In total, only 29 examples of this rare and highly sought-after variant were ever produced, solidifying its legendary status within automotive history.
LIGHT METAL IN SCHWARZ: The Unique Chinetti ‘Alloy’
Chassis number 198.043.5500872, completed on January 12, 1956, holds a special place among the Alloy Gullwings. It was the 26th alloy-bodied car to emerge from the Untertürkheim production line, and notably, the first completed in 1956. Adding to its uniqueness, it is the only Alloy Gullwing finished in Schwarz (DB 40), or black, a striking contrast to its opulent Red leather (1079) interior. Its accompanying data card meticulously details the Leichtmetallausführung specifications – the alloy body, NSL engine, sports suspension, Rudge wheels, and more. Additionally, it lists features like a windshield washer system, special-order paint with an extra kilogram for touch-ups, and a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio, suggesting a slightly different performance configuration.
Just four days later, on January 16th, this exceptional car left the factory, destined for Milan agent Saporiti. From there, it was reportedly delivered to none other than Luigi Chinetti. Chinetti was a legendary figure in the automotive world, renowned for his victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a driver and later as Ferrari’s North American importer and the founder of the famed North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.). It’s believed that Chinetti acquired this Alloy Gullwing to directly compare Mercedes-Benz’s top offering against his current Ferrari lineup, a fascinating insight into the competitive landscape of high-performance automobiles at the time.
A Hidden Gem: Never Publicly Displayed
The story of this particular 300 Sl Mercedes takes another intriguing turn in 1976. Rudi Klein, a collector of significant vehicles, met Luigi Chinetti at the 1976 Daytona 500. An agreement was reached for Klein to purchase the Alloy Gullwing for $30,000, with a $3,000 deposit placed with one of Chinetti’s employees right at the racetrack. An invoice from Luigi Chinetti Motors, dated August 30, 1976, confirms the impending final payment before delivery, scheduled for September 11th. However, correspondence from Hagwood Trucking reveals that the car wasn’t actually collected from Chinetti until early March 1977. Photographs from this period show the Gullwing in silver, retaining its original red leather interior, just as Rudi Klein acquired it. In a letter, Klein noted the car was in “sound [with] no damage. Equipment on car includes radio, spare, etc. and knock-offs.” Another photograph captures the car’s arrival at Porche Foreign Auto, Klein’s junkyard business.
Interestingly, according to the Klein sons, this Alloy Gullwing became a unique piece in Rudi’s collection – the only one he never drove or exhibited publicly. Upon arrival from Chinetti, it was carefully stored inside the main building of his junkyard and remained there, hidden from the world, until its recent unveiling at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2024. Over the decades, some parts were unfortunately sold off, including the front bumpers, shift knob, tool kit, jack, and spare wheel. Yet, remarkably, with 73,387 kilometers (approximately 45,600 miles) recorded at the time of cataloging, the car remains spectacularly original and genuine. It retains its matching-numbers engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and front spindles, all verified against the data card. Even its four road wheels bear matching date codes, and the factory alloy bodywork is intact, with the body number “26” stamped on both doors, the dashboard edge, and the interior roof panel. It’s a testament to its unique, sheltered existence that this competition-bred machine, unlike many of its brethren that faced demanding races and potential wrecks, has survived in such exceptional condition.
The only readily apparent damage is a dent in the rear – a quirky footnote in its history: sometime in 1981, Rudi Klein apparently backed into his prized Gullwing with a forklift.
While not technically “lost,” as it was documented in 300 SL rosters and registers under Rudi Klein’s ownership, chassis number 198.043.5500872 remained inaccessible to the public eye, much like many other vehicles within his legendary, secluded collection. In fact, it may well have been the most secretive car within a collection known for its privacy, residing within the walls of Porche Foreign Auto – and largely within a single building on the property – for almost half a century. Now, it emerges as the last unrestored “Alloy” Gullwing, with the distinguished provenance of Luigi Chinetti and the unique distinction of being the sole example delivered in black. This 300 SL Mercedes boasts a history that can be confidently described as utterly irreplaceable.
Just remember to watch out for forklifts.
