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1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Ontario, Canada

Trade : £POA

Sellers description

1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

A True Icon, Only 3 Caretakers From New   Mercedes-Benz initially had no plans for a series production of its racing 300 SL, however its U.S. importer, Max Hoffman, had other ideas. Hoffman, a master marketer and a man of great insight, convinced Daimler-Benz to offer a production model by ordering 1,000 of them for sale in the United States. Fuel injection replaced the race car’s carburetors and the Bosch mechanical unit would be the first for a production car. After a handful of early production models were made in alloy, as the competition cars were, the new Karl Wilfert-designed body was largely constructed of steel, however it  retained aluminum doors, hood, and trunk lid, and included the bumpers (with over-riders for U.S.-spec cars). Numerous creature comforts were added as well, including a tilt-wheel for ease of entry and a sumptuous interior that is requisite for road use.   Of particular note, the 300 SL was the first Mercedes to be introduced in the United States before it was shown in Germany, and when it was unveiled in New York on February 6 th , 1954, it took the automotive world by storm. The “SL” (translated to English as Sport Light) moniker reflected the pioneering use of welded tubular-steel frame construction. It also featured a fully independent suspension in addition to its fuel-injected, 3.0-litre (2,996 cubic centimeter) OHC straight six with dry-sump lubrication. Interestingly, the motor was angled slightly to the side in order to clear the low-profile hood and reduce the height of the front end. The power, rated at 240 brake horsepower at 6,100 rpm (SAE) and 215 brake horsepower at 5,800 rpm (DIN) with the factory-optional or dealer-installed “sport” camshaft, was delivered through a four-speed manual gearbox. Capable of a top speed of 161 mph and with a 0–60 acceleration time of approximately eight seconds (depending upon the rear-end ratio selected from five options), the 300 SL was the fastest production automobile of its time.   The dramatic, upward-opening “gullwing” doors of the racing version of the car continued into production and contributed largely to the unique visual signature of the 300 SL. When production ended after the 1957 model year, Hoffman’s original request for 1,000 cars was exceeded, as production of the semi-hand-built car reached just 1,400 units. Demand has always been strong, and today, the 300 SL continues to be one of the most recognized and coveted of all sporting cars. It is almost indisputably considered the “core” model for any serious collection. This 300 SL Gullwing, according to official Mercedes-Benz records, was completed by the factory on August, 11, 1956 and shipped to the Mercedes-Benz dealership located in Dusseildorf, Germany on August 13.

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Genre

Recent Restoration



Vechicle details

  • Ad Ref : 2T191100004
  • Location : Ontario, Canada
  • Make : Mercedes-Benz
  • Model : 300SL Gullwing
  • Year : 1956
  • Miles : n/a
  • Kms : n/a
  • Steer : LHD
  • Gear Box : Manual
  • Cylender : 6 cylinder
  • cc : n/a
  • Cu in : n/a
  • Engine No : n/a
  • Chassis No : n/a
  • Exterior Color : Red
  • Interior : n/a
  • Interior Colour : n/a
  • Doors : n/a
  • Condition : Excellent
  • MoT. : n/a
  • Part exchange Considered : n/a
  • Country of Manufacture : European Cars

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