For automotive aficionados, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, particularly the 1954 model, marks the genesis of the modern supercar. Unveiled in 1954, this vehicle combined breathtaking aesthetics, highlighted by its signature “gullwing” doors—a design necessitated by its lightweight tubular frame—with exhilarating performance from its 2,996-cc M198 inline-six engine. Producing 215 horsepower and achieving a top speed of 163 mph, the 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL swiftly earned its title as the world’s fastest production car.
The legacy of the 300SL ensures that each example is historically significant. However, the specific car we are focusing on, chassis number 198.040.4500012, boasts an especially remarkable and captivating history. This very early 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, constructed on September 24, 1954, was originally finished in the iconic Silver Grey Metallic, complemented by a blue vinyl and blue plaid fabric interior. According to its factory data card, this particular model was designated a “Standwagen,” a show car, destined for the prestigious “Automobil-Salon, London.” Factory records further indicate it was equipped with engine number 198.980.4500022.
In October 1954, this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL was driven directly from Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Stuttgart to the United Kingdom. Its mission was to be the centerpiece of the Mercedes-Benz stand at the 39th International Motor Exhibition in London’s Earls Court. Another Gullwing served as a demonstrator at the event, but it was this specific show car that truly captured global media attention. Photographers and even British Pathé filmed the car, with its revolutionary gullwing doors drawing captivated crowds.
Among those captivated by this road-going evolution of the W194 endurance racer was Rob Walker, a celebrated privateer Formula 1 and sports car team owner. Walker became the first British customer to purchase a 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL, buying this very car directly from the show stand. However, he would never take delivery. According to Ron W Waghorn, then employed by Mercedes-Benz Great Britain and responsible for Walker’s vehicles, this particular example was promptly taken to the roads around Hatfield for testing by a team of engineers. Shortly after, Mercedes-Benz colleagues were not greeted by the returning Gullwing, but by police officers. They relayed that in damp and slippery conditions on the A1, chassis 198.040.4500012 had tragically lost control and spun backwards into a tree.
The impact was concentrated on the rear bodywork and spare wheel. Consequently, the damaged 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL was returned to Germany for repairs. Finally, in May 1955, this Gullwing was road-registered for the first time, serving as a demonstrator for Mercedes-Benz GB and receiving the registration number “RGO 30,” which it still retains today. In January 1956, Noel Carr of Carr & Co, a racing driver and heir to the Carr’s Biscuits fortune who also operated as a part-time car dealer, purchased the Gullwing. Seven months later, Carr sold this historically significant 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing to its first private owner, Mr. Charles Gardner.
After acquiring the car on August 24, 1956, Mr. Gardner would later store the Gullwing in a barn on his Sussex apple farm for approximately 20 years, taking it off the road. Mr. Gardner eventually passed the car to his daughter, who re-registered it in France. In October 2000, the Gullwing returned to the UK under the custodianship of Mr. Gardner’s son, and it has remained within his family ever since.
The consigning family then initiated a comprehensive five-year body-off restoration, spanning from November 2005 to April 2010. At this point, the odometer was reset. Since its restoration, this exceptional 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL has been consistently serviced by leading classic Mercedes-Benz specialist Kevin O’Keeffe. Martin Cushway rebuilt the gearbox in 2015, followed by HK Engineering overhauling the differential in September 2021. This Gullwing comes to auction fresh from an August 2024 service and having passed an MoT with no advisories.
Refinished in its original and elegant color combination and enhanced by the rare and highly sought-after Rudge center-lock wheels—replicating its appearance at the Earls Court Motor Show—this 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL includes a workshop manual and extensive documentation file. It proudly retains its matching-numbers chassis, body, and engine. Due to its pre-production nature, the build sheet lacks numbered component records, but the front kingpins and differential are confirmed to date back to 1954. Furthermore, this Gullwing preserves various features unique to these early production examples. MoT certificates dating back to 1977 suggest a total mileage of approximately 54,000 miles from new, with the Gullwing recorded at 40,483 miles before its restoration.
Having captivated the world at Earls Court approximately 70 years ago, chassis 198.040.4500012 is highly likely to be the last “Standwagen” offered from single private ownership. This richly historied 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing represents a truly tantalizing opportunity and would be an immensely rewarding acquisition for its next custodian.
