Following Mercedes-Benz’s resounding success in motorsports with the W194, including victories at the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana, the German automaker recognized the demand for a road-going version. Crucially, Max Hoffman, the influential New York-based importer, strongly advocated for its production, recognizing the appetite of his discerning American clientele. Thus, the W198 was born, quickly becoming known as the Mercedes-benz 300 Sl, and affectionately, though unofficially, nicknamed the “Gullwing” due to its distinctive door design. In a significant move, the 300 SL was unveiled at the 1954 International Motor Sports Show in New York, marking the first time a Mercedes-Benz model premiered outside of its home country.
Just a year into the production of the standard 300 SL, Dr. Fritz Nallinger, Mercedes-Benz’s chief engineer, proposed a more specialized, competition-focused variant of the W198. This initiative was aimed at privateer and amateur racers who were already pushing their road-going 300 SLs to their performance limits in competitive settings. In February 1954, Dr. Nallinger successfully persuaded the board of directors to approve this special-order model. It was subtly marketed as Leichtmetallausführung, which translates to “Light Metal Version,” hinting at its enhanced capabilities. However, the “Alloy” Gullwing was far more than a superficial modification. It was engineered as a genuine competition machine, boasting not only a lightweight aluminum alloy body but also the more powerful NSL engine, a sport-tuned suspension system, a shorter 4.11:1 rear axle ratio for quicker acceleration, lighter Rudge knock-off wheels, and even weight-reducing Plexiglas for the rear window and side screens. These comprehensive upgrades commanded a substantial premium of $1,307 over the base price of a standard Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
Despite its performance advantages, the high cost of the Alloy Gullwing, coupled with stiff competition from established racing marques like Ferrari, limited its production run to a mere 12 months. Ultimately, only 29 examples of the Alloy Gullwing were ever manufactured, making it an exceptionally rare and highly sought-after variant of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
The Unique Black Alloy Gullwing: A Chinetti Connection
Chassis number 198.043.5500872, completed on January 12, 1956, holds a special place in the Alloy Gullwing lineage. It was the 26th alloy-bodied car to emerge from the Untertürkheim production line and the very first completed in 1956. Distinguishing it further, this particular Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing is the only one finished in Schwarz (DB 40), or black, a striking contrast to its opulent Red leather (1079) interior. Its factory data card meticulously details the Leichtmetallausführung specifications – the alloy body, NSL engine, sports suspension, Rudge wheels – along with additional features including a windshield washer system, special-order paint (with an extra kilogram for touch-ups), and a 3.42:1 rear axle ratio, slightly taller than the standard alloy version for potentially better high-speed cruising.
Just four days after completion, on January 16th, this unique Mercedes-Benz 300 SL departed the factory destined for Milanese agent Saporiti. Intriguingly, it is believed that Saporiti delivered the car to none other than Luigi Chinetti. Chinetti was a legendary figure in the automotive world, celebrated 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 renowned North American Racing Team (N.A.R.T.). It is speculated that Chinetti commissioned this Alloy Gullwing to evaluate Mercedes-Benz’s offering against the Ferraris he was then dealing with.
A Hidden Gem: Rediscovery After Decades
Rudi Klein’s acquisition of this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing began with a meeting with Luigi Chinetti at the 1976 Daytona 500. A deal was struck for $30,000, with a $3,000 deposit placed. An invoice from Luigi Chinetti Motors, dated August 30, 1976, confirms the pending final payment before delivery scheduled for September 11th. However, transport documentation indicates the car was not actually picked up from Chinetti until March 1977. Photographs from the time of Rudi Klein’s acquisition show the Gullwing in silver, retaining its original red leather interior. Klein noted in a letter that the car was in excellent condition, “sound [with] no damage,” and still equipped with its radio, spare tire, and knock-off wheels. Another photograph captures the car’s arrival at Porche Foreign Auto, Klein’s junkyard business.
According to Rudi Klein’s sons, this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing held a unique position within his eclectic collection of significant vehicles. Unlike the others, it was never driven or displayed publicly by Rudi. Upon arrival from Chinetti, it was carefully stored inside the main building of his junkyard and remained there, largely unseen, until its public unveiling at the RM Sotheby’s Monterey auction in 2024. Over the decades, some parts, including the front bumpers, shift knob, tool kit, jack, and spare wheel, were unfortunately sold off, a common practice within Klein’s junkyard operations. Despite this, with 73,387 kilometers (~45,600 miles) recorded, the car’s remarkable originality remains unquestionable. It retains its original, matching-numbers engine, gearbox, rear axle, steering box, and front spindles, all verified to match the factory data card. The four road wheels also bear matching date codes, and importantly, the factory alloy bodywork is intact, with the body number “26” stamped on both doors, the dashboard edge, and the interior roof panel. It is exceptionally rare for competition cars, often subjected to racing incidents and modifications, to have survived in such remarkably original condition.
The only readily apparent damage to this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is a dent in the rear, a consequence of Rudi Klein reportedly backing into the Gullwing with a forklift in 1981. While not entirely “lost” in the traditional sense, as it was documented in 300 SL registries associated with Rudi Klein, chassis number 198.043.5500872 was, in effect, inaccessible to the world for nearly 50 years, hidden within the confines of Porche Foreign Auto. It may well be considered the most secretive vehicle within a collection known for its obscurity, remaining within the walls, and often within a single building, of the junkyard for half a century. Its emergence represents the final unrestored “Alloy” Gullwing, with its prestigious provenance of Luigi Chinetti ownership and the unique distinction of being the sole example finished in black – a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL with an undeniably unique and irreplaceable history. Just be mindful of that forklift dent, a quirky footnote in its extraordinary story.
