“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 “the last” of a prized model represents the pinnacle of acquisition. Owning the final iteration of a celebrated object, whether by chance or design, bestows a unique distinction. In the realm of coveted vintage collectibles, securing the ultimate example can span decades and involve considerable investment, assuming such an item is even accessible to private collectors and not enshrined in a museum or corporate vault. The opportunity to possess the last of an iconic sports car, particularly one as revered as the gull wing Mercedes-Benz, is an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime prospect.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, hailed as the “sportscar of the century,” stands as a paragon of automotive design. Its breathtaking aesthetics, cutting-edge engineering, and exhilarating performance elevate it above other iconic sports cars that continue to captivate enthusiasts. It undeniably remains the most significant and universally admired automobile in the storied history of the Mercedes-Benz marque. The “Last Gullwing,” a singular vehicle, embodies the legacy of this triumphant model, linking its owner to the victories, glamour, and grandeur it represents.
A Prophecy Incarnate: The Birth of a Legend
The profound impact of the 300 SL Gullwing on 20th-century culture extends far beyond motorsports, largely due to its relatively substantial production run. Between 1954 and 1957, Mercedes-Benz manufactured 1,400 Gullwings, with a significant number seeing competitive action on racetracks worldwide.
Instantly recognizable due to its striking and unconventional design dictated by its lightweight spaceframe—derived from the victorious W194 and W196 racing sports cars of 1952 and 1954—the road-going 300 SL Gullwing achieved remarkable ubiquity. It seemed to be everywhere, simultaneously, from Hollywood sets to scenic drives, from Parisian boulevards to arctic expeditions, and from pristine motor show displays to the mud-spattered winner’s circle. 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 distinguished itself through its widespread presence and accessibility.
Alt text: Striking Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing in silver, showcased at an automotive event, highlighting its iconic gullwing doors and sleek design.
The 300 SL’s close technical and visual kinship with its racing sibling, the 300 SLR sports racer of 1955, further enhanced its allure. While the production Gullwing is often considered the “first supercar,” its 3.0-liter SLR counterpart has been dubbed the “first hypercar,” achieving unprecedented speeds exceeding 180 mph, thanks to its featherweight magnesium body and 300-horsepower engine. In a landmark 2022 auction, RM Sotheby’s sold the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for an astounding $142 million on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, establishing it as the most valuable automobile in history.
When the 300 SL wasn’t making headlines in sports publications, it was likely featured in entertainment sections, as the super-leicht became synonymous with socialites, business magnates, movie stars, and royalty. The 300 SL also represented individuality and bespoke luxury; owners could specify their Gullwing in a wide array of colors and personalize it with numerous factory options.
Alt text: Luxurious interior of a Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, showcasing the crème leather seats, elegant dashboard, and classic steering wheel, emphasizing the car’s blend of performance and sophistication.
The technologically advanced 300 SL’s unparalleled pedigree led to numerous victories in prestigious sports car races, alongside amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. However, the most remarkable aspect of the Gullwing might be its ability to achieve such racing accolades while simultaneously becoming one of the most elegant, stylish, and desirable automobiles of the century—a vehicle often described as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
The Last Gullwing: A Unique Piece of History
On May 15, 1957, Mercedes-Benz completed chassis 7500079, “The Last Gullwing,” marking the definitive conclusion of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic model, whose legendary status remains unchallenged.
“The Last Gullwing” began as a special-order Standwagen, initially showcased by Mercedes-Benz at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair before joining the U.S. Mercedes-Benz distribution network on September 27, 1957. Any additional public appearances between the Poznan Fair’s conclusion on June 29 and its shipment to America nearly two months later are undocumented. By the time chassis 7500079 was released from its exhibition duties, the Mercedes-Benz factory had already produced several examples of its successor, the 300 SL Roadster.
Intriguingly, factory documentation reveals that “The Last Gullwing” was originally specified in Fire Engine Red (DB 534) with special-order full Crème leather (1060) upholstery, English instrumentation, sealed beam headlamps, bumper guards, and, due to its extended factory stay, the wider 15 x 5½ -inch Kronprinz wheels typically fitted to the 300 SL Roadster.
Alt text: Rear profile of a Fire Engine Red Mercedes-Benz Gullwing, highlighting its sweeping lines, distinctive taillights, and chrome accents, showcasing its timeless design.
After arriving in America, this exceptionally significant, undeniably unique, and remarkably original treasure receded into relative obscurity. Nevertheless, “The Last Gullwing” has enjoyed a fortunate existence, cherished by a select lineage of only four known owners since new. It retains its factory-correct color scheme and original chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front axles. While the rear axle, 7500024, is also believed to be original, factory records note its number as simply “324.”
“The Last Gullwing” is now offered after more than 25 years under the stewardship of its most recent private collector. Meticulously restored by its owner over several years, the car was invited to debut at the prestigious 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, marking the first time the model was accepted into this highly competitive event. Judges and attendees lauded chassis 7500079, awarding it 3rd in Class—a notable debut and a testament to the exceptional quality of its restoration.
The Enduring Legacy of the Gullwing
Despite its undisputed status as Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated and successful production model, the iconic 300 SL Gullwing has maintained its captivating allure for seven decades. This enduring fascination stems not only from its association with Hollywood glamour, motorsport victories, and fleeting aesthetic appeal, but from embodying a timeless ideal: the pursuit of excellence.
Unrivaled in provenance and historical significance as the final factory-delivered example of the famed super-leicht, “The Last Gullwing” offers an opportunity that transcends mere ownership. To be seen in this Gullwing is to be linked to greatness, and to the triumphs of the model and the individuals who contributed to its legendary success.
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” embodies a transcendent ideal of collecting that surpasses its mechanical nature. To possess “the last” of an era-defining icon is to hold a tangible piece of history itself.
