“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 distinguished automobiles, owning the “last” of a celebrated series represents a pinnacle of achievement. It’s an exclusive status born from scarcity, perseverance, and often, considerable fortune. In the realm of vintage collectibles, the quest to secure the ultimate specimen can span decades, demanding vast resources, assuming the artifact isn’t already enshrined within a museum or private collection, shielded from public reach.
Indeed, many definitive examples of the world’s most coveted collectibles are permanently sequestered, never again to be available for private acquisition. This reality elevates the prospect of possessing the last of anything—particularly an epoch-defining sportscar like the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing—into a truly exceptional, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Acclaimed as the “sportscar of the century,” the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing transcends mere automotive design. It’s a symphony of breathtaking aesthetics, pioneering engineering, and exhilarating performance. Even amongst the pantheon of iconic sportscars that continue to fascinate collectors globally, the Gullwing stands apart. It is, undeniably, the most significant and universally admired automobile ever produced by Mercedes-Benz, a testament to their storied and triumphant heritage.
The Last Gullwing, presented here, embodies a unique symbolic weight, forever linking this particular car—and its future owner—to the unparalleled legacy of this all-conquering model: its victories, its glamour, and its inherent greatness. This vehicle is more than just a car; it’s a piece of automotive history, a tangible representation of an era defined by innovation and style.
The Ubiquitous Icon: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s Enduring Cultural Impact
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s profound influence on 20th-century culture extends far beyond the racetrack, largely because of its relatively substantial production run. Between 1954 and 1957, Mercedes-Benz manufactured approximately 1,400 Gullwings. A significant number of these were not just garage queens; they were actively campaigned in races across the globe, proving their mettle in the crucible of motorsport.
Instantly recognizable due to its striking and unconventional gullwing doors—a design necessitated by its lightweight spaceframe chassis derived from the dominant W194 and W196 racing sportscars of 1952 and 1954—the road-going 300 SL Gullwing achieved an almost omnipresent status. It was seemingly everywhere, all the time, all at once. From appearances on the silver screen to cruising down Mulholland Drive, from gracing the Champs-Élysées to venturing into the Arctic Circle, the Gullwing was equally at home on a pristine motor show stand or battling for victory in the mud and grime of a race circuit. In stark contrast to most highly collectible mid-century exotics, such as the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, BMW 507, Lamborghini Miura, and Jaguar XKSS, the 300 SL Gullwing’s ubiquity was part of its allure.
The 300 SL Gullwing’s close technical and visual kinship with its racing sibling, the formidable 300 SLR racing sportscar of 1955, further amplified its appeal. If the production Gullwing is often hailed as the “first supercar,” its 3.0-liter SLR counterpart could legitimately be considered the “first hypercar.” The 300 SLR, thanks to its ultra-lightweight magnesium alloy bodywork and a potent 300-horsepower engine, effortlessly shattered speed barriers, reaching unprecedented velocities exceeding 180 mph. In a landmark event in 2022, RM Sotheby’s facilitated the sale of the 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe on behalf of Mercedes-Benz for an astounding $142 million, thereby solidifying its position as the most valuable car in history. This connection to racing pedigree undeniably elevated the Gullwing’s status and desirability.
Beyond the sports pages, the 300 SL Gullwing frequently graced the entertainment sections of publications. The “super-leicht” became synonymous with socialites, industry titans, Hollywood icons, and royalty. The 300 SL was also a canvas for personal expression. Owners could customize their Gullwings with a vast array of color combinations and factory options, making each car a unique statement of individuality.
The technologically advanced 300 SL’s unparalleled racing heritage earned it countless victories in prestigious sportscar races worldwide, along with numerous amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. However, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Gullwing was its ability to achieve such sporting success while simultaneously embodying elegance, sophistication, and desirability. It was, and remains, a machine frequently described as “a spacecraft on four wheels,” a testament to its futuristic design and groundbreaking engineering.
The Last of its Kind: Chassis 7500079, The Final Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
On May 15, 1957, Mercedes-Benz completed production of chassis number 7500079. This wasn’t just another 300 SL Gullwing; it was the final one, the definitive bookend to Mercedes-Benz’s most celebrated model, an icon whose legendary status has only intensified with time.
The Last Gullwing, chassis 7500079, began its journey as a special-order Standwagen, a vehicle intended for exhibition. Its first public appearance was at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair. Following its showcase in Poland, it was integrated into the Mercedes-Benz distribution network in the United States on September 27, 1957. While its exhibition activities between the Poznan Fair’s conclusion on June 29th and its transatlantic shipment nearly eight weeks later remain undocumented, it is known that by the time 7500079 was released from its promotional duties, the Mercedes-Benz factory had already commenced production of its successor, the 300 SL Roadster.
Intriguingly, the accompanying factory data card copies for The Last Gullwing reveal its original specifications: a striking Fire Engine Red (DB 534) exterior, complemented by a special-order full Crème leather (1060) interior. It was also equipped with English instrumentation, sealed beam headlamps, bumper covers, and, owing to its extended stay at the factory, a set of wider 15 x 5½ -inch Kronprinz wheels, typically reserved for the 300 SL Roadster. These unique factory specifications add to the distinctiveness of this final example.
Despite its extraordinary significance and inherent uniqueness, The Last Gullwing initially entered a period of relative obscurity in America. However, this remarkably original and meticulously preserved car has enjoyed a charmed existence, cherished by a select lineage of just four recorded owners since leaving the factory. The Last Gullwing retains its factory-correct color scheme and boasts matching numbers for its chassis, engine, body, gearbox, and front axles. Its rear axle, numbered 7500024, is also believed to be original, although factory records only note “324.”
After more than 25 years under the dedicated stewardship of its most recent private owner, The Last Gullwing emerged from careful restoration, undertaken by the owner himself over several years. This meticulous restoration culminated in an invitation to the prestigious 2004 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Notably, this marked the first time the 300 SL Gullwing model had ever been accepted into this highly selective and exclusive event. The judges and attendees were captivated by 7500079, awarding it 3rd in Class—a remarkable debut and a powerful endorsement of the quality of its restoration.
Even after seven decades, the iconic 300 SL Gullwing continues to command the spotlight, not merely as a symbol of Hollywood glamour, motorsport triumph, or fleeting aesthetic appeal, but as an enduring embodiment of an ideal: the relentless pursuit of automotive excellence.
Unmatched in provenance and historical importance as the final factory-produced example of the celebrated “super-leicht,” The Last Gullwing offers an ownership experience that transcends mere possession. To be seen in this Gullwing is to be associated with greatness, to share in the reflected glory of the model’s unparalleled achievements and the visionaries who made that success a reality.
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 resonate with collectors, “The Last Gullwing” embodies a transcendent ideal of collecting. To own the “last” of an era-defining icon is to hold a tangible piece of history itself, a legacy cast in steel, aluminum, and unwavering ambition.
