History, Originality, and Speed: The Remarkable 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

Few motorcars command the sort of universal reverence afforded to the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing.’ It was, and remains, a true legend of the automotive world; a machine that brought genuine, world-beating race car technology like a space frame chassis and fuel injection to the road for the very first time. Each of the 1,400 examples built is a masterpiece of engineering and timeless elegance.

But every so often, a particular example emerges from the woodwork that stops us dead in our tracks here at Coolector HQ; a car with a story etched into its very metal, a soul forged in the heat of competition. This is chassis 198.040.5500278, and its tale is one of speed, preservation, and incredible discovery.

Completed at the fabled Sindelfingen factory on 29 April 1955, this Gullwing was destined for the crucial US market. It left the factory finished in a stunning DB534 Feuerwehrrot, or ‘Fire Engine Red,’ and was specified with highly desirable Rudge knock-off wheels. While Mercedes-Benz had officially halted its factory racing efforts after the tragic 1955 Le Mans disaster, the competitive spirit of the 300 SL was too potent to be contained.

In the hands of privateers, the Gullwing became a formidable force in American SCCA racing. This car was one of those warriors. Distributed to Washington, DC, it was raced to multiple victories throughout 1956 by Charles “Chuck” Wallace before being acquired by Leonard “Chick” Butscher in 1957, who continued to campaign it in East Coast events. This wasn’t just a showpiece; it was a proven winner.

What makes this particular Gullwing so astonishing, however, is the story of its originality, uncovered through painstaking forensic work by its recent owners. A UK-based collector acquired the car in 2023 and, suspecting a hidden history, enlisted marque expert Martin Cushway to conduct a deep examination. What they found was extraordinary. Experts attest that the car miraculously retains its original engine, body, rear axle, and even its kingpins.

Furthermore, beneath a later coat of silver paint, the original Fire Engine Red was discovered and carefully preserved. The interior, still boasting its original black leather and horsehair filling, shows wear patterns that perfectly match contemporary photos of the car during its racing heyday. The investigation even uncovered lead-filled patches on the bonnet, a legacy of the leather racing straps it once wore, and evidence of extra gauges on the dashboard, likely fitted for a planned, but aborted, 12 Hours of Sebring campaign.

This Gullwing is a spectacular time capsule, a car whose astoundingly preserved originality is matched only by its significant competition history. It belongs to a select group of the most desirable 300 SLs in existence. Set to cross the auction block at RM Sotheby’s, this remarkable piece of automotive history is expected to command a price in excess of $2,225,000.

For the discerning collector, it represents a vanishingly rare opportunity to acquire not just a blue-chip classic, but a versatile and eligible entry to the world’s most prestigious historic racing, rallying, and concours events.

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