“The 300 SL is prophecy incarnate. It’s a pace-setter, a style-setter, a design conception that is bound to influence the world’s automotive industry for many years to come… Literally, the 300 SL is a car of the future that can be possessed today…it’s just about impossible to duplicate what the 300SL has to offer at any price.”
—Griff Borgeson, Sports Cars Illustrated, April 1956
For collectors of vintage automobiles, the pursuit of rarity is often the ultimate goal. To own the “last” of something significant, whether by chance, dedication, or privilege, is to possess a unique piece of history. In the realm of high-end collectibles, securing the final example of a prized item can be a decades-long quest, involving substantial resources, assuming such an item is even accessible to private collectors and not permanently displayed in a museum or corporate collection.
The opportunity to acquire the last of an iconic sports car model is exceptionally rare, a once-in-a-lifetime prospect. Among these coveted vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing stands as a titan. Celebrated as the “sports car of the century,” the Gullwing is globally admired for its breathtaking aesthetics, groundbreaking engineering, and exceptional performance. It is unequivocally the most important and celebrated automobile ever produced by Mercedes-Benz, a marque renowned for its long and illustrious history.
The allure of the “Last Gullwing” transcends mere ownership; it represents a tangible connection to the model’s unparalleled legacy of victory, glamour, and automotive greatness.
The Pervasive Influence of the 300 SL Gullwing
The Mercedes 300 Sl Gullwing’s impact on 20th-century culture extends far beyond motorsports, largely due to its relatively substantial production numbers. Between 1954 and 1957, Mercedes-Benz manufactured approximately 1,400 Gullwing coupes, with many seeing competitive action on racetracks worldwide.
Instantly recognizable due to its striking and unconventional design—dictated by its lightweight spaceframe chassis, derived from the victorious W194 and W196 racing sports cars of 1952 and 1954—the road-going 300 SL Gullwing achieved remarkable ubiquity. It appeared everywhere, from Hollywood films to scenic drives along Mulholland Drive, from the fashionable Champs-Élysées to adventures in the Arctic Circle, and from pristine motor show displays to the winner’s circles of prestigious races. In contrast to many highly collectible mid-century exotics like the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, BMW 507, Lamborghini Miura, and Jaguar XKSS, the 300 SL Gullwing was remarkably accessible and visible.
Alt text: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing racing on a track, showcasing its performance pedigree.
The 300 SL Gullwing’s close technical and visual relationship to its racing sibling, the 300 SLR sports racer of 1955, further enhanced its appeal. Often considered the “first supercar,” the production Gullwing’s 3.0-liter engine was closely related to the SLR’s powerplant. The 300 SLR, with its ultra-lightweight magnesium body and 300-horsepower engine, has been called the “first hypercar,” reaching unprecedented speeds exceeding 180 mph. In a landmark 2022 auction, RM Sotheby’s sold the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe for an astounding $142 million on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, establishing it as the most valuable car in history and further elevating the entire Mercedes-Benz 300 SL lineage.
Beyond the sports pages, the 300 SL Gullwing frequently graced the entertainment sections of publications. Synonymous with socialites, business magnates, movie stars, and royalty, the “super-leicht” became a symbol of success and refined taste. The 300 SL Gullwing also offered a platform for personal expression; owners could customize their vehicles with a wide array of color combinations and factory options.
The technologically advanced Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing’s world-class engineering earned it countless victories in premier sports car races and numerous amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. Remarkably, the Gullwing achieved these motorsport accolades while simultaneously being celebrated as one of the most elegant, stylish, and desirable automobiles of the 20th century—often described as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
Alt text: Elegant Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing parked in front of a luxury villa, highlighting its association with glamour and high society.
“The Last Gullwing”: A Definitive Collector’s Piece
On May 15, 1957, Mercedes-Benz completed chassis number 7500079, “The Last Gullwing,” marking the end of production for this pivotal model. Its iconic status has remained unchallenged and undiminished for decades.
“The Last Gullwing,” chassis 7500079, began as a special-order Standwagen (exhibition car). It was initially displayed by Mercedes-Benz at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair before being dispatched to the United States Mercedes-Benz distribution network on September 27, 1957. While specific details of any additional exhibitions between the Poznan Fair’s conclusion on June 29 and its shipment to America remain undocumented, it is known that by the time 7500079 was released from its exhibition duties, the Mercedes-Benz factory had already commenced production of the succeeding 300 SL Roadster.
Intriguingly, factory data card copies accompanying “The Last Gullwing” indicate its original specification as Fire Engine Red (DB 534) with a special-order full Crème leather interior (1060), English instrumentation, sealed beam headlamps, bumper covers, and, due to its extended factory stay, wider 15 x 5½ -inch Kronprinz wheels, typically fitted to the 300 SL Roadster.
After arriving in America, this exceptionally significant and uniquely correct Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing faded into relative obscurity. However, it has enjoyed a fortunate existence, cherished by a limited succession of only four recorded owners from new. “The Last Gullwing” retains its factory-correct color scheme and numbers-matching chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front axles. Its rear axle, number 7500024, is also believed to be original, although factory records list it as simply “324.”
Alt text: Close-up of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing chassis number plate, emphasizing the authenticity and historical significance of the vehicle.
“The Last Gullwing” is now presented after more than 25 years under the stewardship of its most recent private collector. Meticulously restored by its owner over several years, the car was invited to participate in the prestigious 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, marking the first time the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing model was accepted into this highly selective event. The judges and attendees lauded 7500079, awarding it 3rd in Class—a remarkable debut and a testament to the quality of its restoration.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, despite its undisputed status as Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated production model, has maintained an unwavering spotlight for seven decades. This enduring fascination stems not only from its embodiment of Hollywood glamour, motorsport triumphs, and captivating beauty, but also from its representation of an ideal: the pursuit of perfection.
Unmatched in provenance and significance as the final production example of the iconic “super-leicht,” “The Last Gullwing” offers an ownership opportunity that transcends the material. To be associated with this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is to be linked to greatness, embodying the model’s successes and the visionaries who made that success possible.
Just as Michael Jordan’s final game-worn jersey, Babe Ruth’s last home run ball, Diego Maradona’s final cleats, or Picasso’s ultimate masterpiece hold immeasurable value, “The Last Gullwing” embodies a transcendent ideal of collecting. To possess the “last” of a defining icon is to hold a tangible piece of history.
