“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
To own the definitive “last” of any coveted collectible is to possess something truly unique. This distinction becomes especially profound in the realm of vintage automobiles, where the pursuit of the final exemplar of a prized model can span decades and involve significant investment. Often, these ultimate examples reside within museum collections or corporate vaults, forever beyond private reach. Therefore, the opportunity to acquire the very last of an iconic sportscar is an exceptionally rare and significant event.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 Gullwing, often hailed as the “sportscar of the century,” stands as a monumental achievement in automotive history. Celebrated for its breathtaking aesthetics, groundbreaking engineering, and exhilarating performance, the Gullwing transcends mere transportation; it is a symbol of automotive artistry. Within Mercedes-Benz’s illustrious history, the 300 SL Gullwing undeniably reigns supreme as their most significant and universally admired creation.
This article delves into the enduring legacy of the Mercedes 300 Gullwing, exploring its profound impact on the automotive world and the unique allure of possessing “The Last Gullwing”—a singular vehicle that encapsulates the model’s unparalleled victory, glamour, and greatness.
A Pervasive Icon: The 300 SL Gullwing’s Cultural Resonance
The Mercedes 300 Gullwing transcended the confines of motorsport to permeate 20th-century culture on a broad scale, largely due to its relatively substantial production run. Between 1954 and 1957, Mercedes-Benz produced approximately 1,400 Gullwing coupes, with a significant number seeing competitive action on racetracks globally.
Its distinctive design, dictated by its lightweight spaceframe chassis—a direct descendant of the victorious W194 and W196 racing sports cars of the early 1950s—made the 300 Gullwing instantly recognizable. It became ubiquitous, gracing the silver screen, cruising along Mulholland Drive, adorning Parisian boulevards, venturing to the Arctic Circle, and transitioning seamlessly from pristine motor show displays to the winner’s circle’s grit and glory. In contrast to many highly collectible mid-century exotics from Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini, and Jaguar, the Mercedes 300 Gullwing achieved remarkable widespread presence and recognition.
Side profile view of a classic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, showcasing its iconic door design and sleek silhouette.
The 300 Gullwing‘s close technical and visual kinship with its racing sibling, the 300 SLR, further elevated its status. While the production Gullwing is often considered the “first supercar,” the 3.0-liter SLR racing variant could be argued as the “first hypercar,” achieving unprecedented speeds exceeding 180 mph, thanks to its ultra-lightweight magnesium body and a potent 300-horsepower engine. The historical significance and desirability were cemented when a 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe was sold by RM Sotheby’s on behalf of Mercedes-Benz in 2022 for an astounding $142 million, establishing it as the most valuable automobile ever sold.
Beyond the sports pages, the Mercedes 300 Gullwing became synonymous with glamour and prestige, frequently associated with socialites, business magnates, Hollywood stars, and royalty. It also served as a canvas for personal expression, with owners specifying unique color combinations and a wide array of factory options.
The 300 Gullwing‘s advanced technology and racing pedigree translated into countless victories in premier international sportscar races, as well as numerous amateur championships in various racing disciplines. Remarkably, it achieved these motorsport accolades while simultaneously establishing itself as one of the most elegant, stylish, and sought-after automobiles of the era – a vehicle often described as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
“The Last Gullwing”: A Defining Finale
On May 15, 1957, Mercedes-Benz completed chassis 7500079, “The Last Gullwing,” marking the definitive conclusion to the production of this landmark model. Its iconic status has remained unchallenged and undiminished over decades.
“The Last Gullwing” began its journey as a special-order Standwagen, initially displayed at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair. Subsequently, on September 27, 1957, it was dispatched to the Mercedes-Benz distribution network in the United States. While its exhibition appearances between the Poznan Fair’s conclusion in late June and its American shipment remain undocumented, it is 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 documentation reveals “The Last Gullwing” was originally finished in Fire Engine Red (DB 534) with a special-order Crème leather interior (1060), English instrumentation, sealed beam headlamps, bumper covers, and, owing to its extended factory stay, the wider 15 x 5½ -inch Kronprinz wheels typically reserved for the 300 SL Roadster.
Front-on shot of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, emphasizing its distinctive grille, headlamps, and elegant lines.
Despite its extraordinary significance, “The Last Gullwing” initially faded into relative obscurity in America. However, this exceptionally unique and remarkably original example has enjoyed a fortunate existence, cherished by only four recorded owners from new. It retains its factory-correct color scheme and matching-numbers chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front axles. While the rear axle number differs slightly in documentation, it is believed to be original.
After more than 25 years under the stewardship of its most recent private collector, “The Last Gullwing,” meticulously restored, made its debut at the prestigious 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. This marked the first time the model had been accepted into this highly exclusive event. Judges and attendees alike lauded 7500079, awarding it 3rd in Class—a remarkable achievement and a testament to the quality of its restoration.
The Enduring Allure of the Mercedes 300 Gullwing
The Mercedes 300 Gullwing‘s enduring prominence, sustained for seven decades, transcends fleeting trends. It embodies not just Hollywood glamour, motorsport triumph, or transient aesthetic appeal. Instead, the Mercedes 300 Gullwing represents a timeless ideal: the pursuit of automotive perfection.
“The Last Gullwing,” unparalleled in provenance and significance as the final production example, offers an ownership opportunity that surpasses mere possession. To be seen in this Gullwing is to be associated with greatness, embodying the model’s triumphs and the visionaries who made its success a reality.
Much like owning Michael Jordan’s final game-worn jersey or Babe Ruth’s last home run ball, “The Last Gullwing” transcends its mechanical nature to become a piece of history itself. Possessing the “last” of a defining icon is to hold a tangible link to an era of automotive innovation and cultural impact.
