As the brilliantly conceived road-going development of the racing cars that returned Mercedes-Benz to the top echelons of international motor sports during the early 1950s, the 300 SL Gullwing coupe remains a landmark of design and engineering prowess, and its iconic status is assured for all time. Exactly 1,400 coupes were built through 1957, followed by 1,858 additional 300 SL roadsters, produced into early 1963.

Beautifully restored and presented, this 300 SL’s factory build record states that it was constructed as a US-specification model, finished in the special-ordered combination of White (DB 50) over Black (DB 953) leather. Completed August 20, 1955, the Gullwing was shipped five days later to Mercedes-Benz Distributors Inc. in New York City. Early owners are recorded by the Gull Wing Group as Lou Lesser and Jack Kearns. During the late 1980s, the Gullwing was acquired by David Chow of Los Angeles, who commissioned the noted marque expert Jerry Hjeltness to perform a restoration with the objective of establishing this 300 SL as one of the world’s finest examples.

The choice of Hjeltness Restoration of Escondido, California, for the Gullwing’s restoration was logical, given the firm’s vast experience with 300 SLs dating to Jerry Hjeltness’ first purchase of one in 1960. With scores of 300 SLs passing through the facility over the years, Hjeltness collected and organized information about the fine details of these vehicles. Their work is renowned as among the finest in the Mercedes-Benz field, and this Gullwing, chassis 5500654, confirms the quality of Hjeltness’ work, decades after its completion.

Hjeltness Restoration completed the Gullwing in midnight blue with light gray leather upholstery and a matching set of fitted luggage. The next owner was the well-known 300 SL enthusiast Bob Sirna of Rochester, Michigan, who acquired it in August 1992. Mr. Sirna had initially planned to purchase a Gullwing that could be used for vintage racing, but after fully realizing the depth of its quality, he decided that it was far too nice to subject to the rigors of competition. He elected instead to show the 300 SL, with Hjeltness Restoration exhibiting the Gullwing for Mr. Sirna at concours events in Fresno, San Diego, and Santa Barbara, California, earning First in Class honors at each outing, followed by Best of Show at the June 1993 edition of the Le Cercle Concours d’Elegance in Los Angeles.

In July 1997, Mr. Sirna traded the Gullwing via respected Mercedes-Benz restorer and marque expert Scott Grundfor. After Mr. Grundfor thoroughly serviced and tuned the Gullwing, Mercedes-Benz enthusiast Michael Warner of North Carolina added it to his collection. Two years later, Mr. Warner offered the car for sale through Mr. Grundfor once again, and in early 2003, it was purchased by a Texas-based collector, who displayed it among his world-class collection in his climate-controlled building. In August 2012, it was purchased by Minnesota collector Dar Reedy, then by the consignor in 2016. Though driven sparingly in recent years, the consignor reports that the Gullwing has been on a strict schedule of detailing and running cycles by qualified staff. A copy of the factory build record accompanies the Gullwing, confirming its matching-numbers engine, and it is presented complete with bellypans, luggage, tools, and manuals.

Superbly presented in its electrifying color combination, retaining its delicate concave-star grille and proper marker lights, this 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is poised to assume pride of place in the finest collections. It has not been publicly shown for many years, and with the outstanding preservation of its restoration, this 300 SL Gullwing will be a most welcome entrant at prestigious concours from coast to coast, or the myriad driving events and rallies for which it is eligible.