Mecum, Monterey and Mercedes-Benz: it’s a matchup made in heaven, and when Mecum Auctions begins rolling automobiles throughout the public sale block on the Del Monte Golf Course at Hyatt Regency Monterey Lodge and Spa this August 15-17, a really spectacular number of a number of the iconic German marque’s most recognizable sports activities automobiles will likely be among the many stacked automotive lineup.
Main the best way amongst these on supply from the German marque are a pair of the long-lasting 300SL Gullwings. Universally acknowledged as a design and engineering tour de power in each respect, the 1954-57 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing coupes proceed to rank among the many final sports activities automobiles ever produced. Upon its debut, the road-going 300SL carried a nearly unbeatable status based mostly upon the light-weight and devastatingly profitable W194 competitors coupes; it was additionally fitted with many race-derived options and given an SL designation that translated to “Sports activities Light-weight” in English. A standout amongst even the mere 1,400 produced from 1954 to ’57, the Code DB-229G Mittelgrün 1955 Gullwing (Lot S98) is a rarity as the one of its type identified to be completed new in its medium inexperienced colour over a inexperienced and grey leather-trimmed inside. Beforehand owned by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, it was the topic of a meticulous body-off restoration within the late 2000s, with ultimate match, end and repair work accomplished by Scott Grundfor Co. in 2022. Sharing the Grundfor connection, the 1957 Gullwing (Lot F86) is a very-late manufacturing instance, among the many final Gullwings ever constructed, and it advantages handsomely from a newer restoration and mechanical refurbishment by Canepa Design.
Whereas the Gullwing coupes are actually a sight to behold, it’s additionally arduous to argue the attraction of a Mercedes-Benz 300SL in open-top roadster kind. Following the success of the legendary Gullwing, Mercedes-Benz launched its successor, the 300SL Roadster, to the general public in 1957 on the Geneva Auto Salon. Becoming a member of the Monterey lineup are two first-year examples of the 300SL Roadster, from a complete of simply 618 produced that first 12 months. The primary (Lot F91) served for 50 years as a centerpiece of the honored Rodolfo Junco De La Vega Assortment till 2023, throughout which a 2010 complete restoration to manufacturing facility specs returned it to its factory-correct colour mixture of Code DB608 Ivory with a Code 1079 Crimson leather-based inside and Code 872 Black convertible high, all whereas retaining the unique physique. In the meantime, the opposite 300SL Roadster (Lot S106) was refurbished in its authentic exterior colour of DB180 Silver Gray, and its authentic 2996cc inline-6 engine and 4-speed handbook gearbox had been each rebuilt by Scott Grundfor Co. In fact, the 300SL Roadster wasn’t the primary Mercedes-Benz in roadster kind, and a testomony to that’s the 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster (Lot F62) on supply, a mannequin that debuted alongside the dazzling 300SL Gullwing in 1954. In response to its manufacturing facility information card and special-order supplemental construct sheet, this Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster was delivered new in a uncommon two-tone paint scheme of DB40 Black with a DB180 Silver hardtop over a 1079 Crimson leather-based inside with pink carpets; a meticulous nut-and-bolt restoration to concours requirements and as-delivered specs by former Can-Am racer and marque professional Lothar Motschenbacher has it in the identical colour mixture immediately, together with the DB180 Silver large-window hardtop.
For full particulars on every of the heaps, the Monterey public sale and knowledge on find out how to bid, head on over to Mecum.com.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Chassis no. 7500563, the 1957 300SL Roadster, is quantity 526 of the 618 produced in its first manufacturing 12 months. It was a part of the Rodolfo Junco De La Vega Assortment from 1973 to 2023 and underwent a complete restoration in 2010 to factory-correct specs. Displayed on the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d’Class, this roadster retains its authentic physique and incorporates a 2996cc inline 6-cylinder engine with matching numbers gearbox and Tremendous-Leicht 3.89 rear finish. It sports activities a factory-correct DB608 Ivory exterior, 1079 Crimson leather-based inside, and 872 Black convertible high. A current mechanical refresh by Bob Smith Coachworks included new clutch, gasoline traces, and quite a few rebuilt elements. It comes with books, manuals, and a replica of the construct sheet.
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Chassis no. 5500263, one in all 1,400 produced between 1954 and 1957, was bought by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Basis in January 1973. It underwent a meticulous body-off restoration by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum within the late 2000s, with ultimate match and end by Scott Grundfor Co. in 2022. Displayed periodically within the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Assortment from 2015-2020 and a part of the museum’s Basement Assortment when not on the principle ground, this U.S. market instance was delivered to Mercedes-Benz Distributors of New York on April 30, 1955. It’s the solely identified mannequin delivered in Mittelgrun over Inexperienced and Grey leather-based, that includes an authentic matching numbers rebuilt 3.0L fuel-injected inline 6-cylinder engine, a 4-speed handbook transmission, and refinished in Beige leather-based. The restoration included a powder-coated body, new rubber suspension elements, polished brightwork, and period-correct Michelin tires. The automotive comes with a replica of the manufacturing facility construct sheet, restoration images, documentation, and repair receipts from Scott Grundfor Co.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
This very late manufacturing instance is likely one of the final 300SL Gullwings constructed, and one in all solely 70 produced for 1957, out of a complete of 1,400. It options Rudge-style wheels, manufacturing facility stomach pans, and fitted baggage. Beforehand restored by Scott Grundfor, it underwent a newer restoration and mechanical refurbishment by Canepa Design. The automotive contains strong Crimson leather-based seat inserts and has an engine variety of 1989807500042.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
One in every of solely 618 Roadsters produced in 1957, this mannequin options the unique matching numbers 2996cc inline 6-cylinder engine (engine no. 1989807500474) and a 4-speed handbook gearbox, each rebuilt by Scott Grundfor & Firm. It has been refurbished in its authentic DB180 Silver Gray colour and contains an early manufacturing horn ring directional gentle actuator. The automotive comes full with a software roll, jack, proprietor’s handbook, and a replica of the unique information card.
1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster
Commissioned new by FA D.B.N.A. Los Angeles on April 13, 1959, and imported to the US by Daimler-Benz of North America at Rockefeller Heart, New York on April 23, 1959, this automotive was found in 2014 after being parked in a Southern California storage since 1978. It underwent a meticulous nut and bolt restoration to concours requirements by marque professional Lothar Motschenbacher, accomplished in 2016, and has pushed lower than 450 miles since. Retaining all authentic physique panels and flooring, it incorporates a DB40 Black exterior over a 1079 Crimson leather-based inside, with a restored DB180 Silver giant window hardtop and detailed undercarriage. Optioned with a uncommon transverse seat behind the passenger seat, it contains copies of manufacturing facility information playing cards, the unique California Black plate, appropriate instruments, luggage, and jack, restoration images, and engine no. 121921199500978. The automotive was featured within the January/February 2016 problem of 190SL Fanatic Journal, with the difficulty included.
