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 very spectacular number of among 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 provide from the German marque are a pair of the enduring 300SL Gullwings. Universally acknowledged as a design and engineering tour de pressure 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 just about 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 recognized to be completed new in its medium inexperienced shade 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 last 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 more moderen restoration and mechanical refurbishment by Canepa Design.
Whereas the Gullwing coupes are actually a sight to behold, it’s additionally exhausting to argue the attraction of a Mercedes-Benz 300SL in open-top roadster type. 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 yr. 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 unit specs returned it to its factory-correct shade mixture of Code DB608 Ivory with a Code 1079 Pink 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 unique exterior shade of DB180 Silver Gray, and its unique 2996cc inline-6 engine and 4-speed handbook gearbox have been each rebuilt by Scott Grundfor Co. After all, the 300SL Roadster wasn’t the primary Mercedes-Benz in roadster type, and a testomony to that’s the 1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster (Lot F62) on provide, a mannequin that debuted alongside the dazzling 300SL Gullwing in 1954. In accordance with its manufacturing unit knowledge 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 Pink 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 shade mixture at the moment, together with the DB180 Silver large-window hardtop.
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Chassis no. 7500563, the 1957 300SL Roadster, is quantity 526 of the 618 produced in its first manufacturing yr. 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’Magnificence, this roadster retains its unique physique and includes 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 Pink 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, considered one of 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 last 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 recognized mannequin delivered in Mittelgrun over Inexperienced and Grey leather-based, that includes an unique 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 automobile comes with a replica of the manufacturing unit construct sheet, restoration images, documentation, and repair receipts from Scott Grundfor Co.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
This very late manufacturing instance is without doubt one of the final 300SL Gullwings constructed, and considered one of solely 70 produced for 1957, out of a complete of 1,400. It options Rudge-style wheels, manufacturing unit stomach pans, and fitted baggage. Beforehand restored by Scott Grundfor, it underwent a more moderen restoration and mechanical refurbishment by Canepa Design. The automobile contains stable Pink leather-based seat inserts and has an engine variety of 1989807500042.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Certainly one 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 unique DB180 Silver Gray shade and contains an early manufacturing horn ring directional gentle actuator. The automobile comes full with a instrument roll, jack, proprietor’s handbook, and a replica of the unique knowledge card.
1959 Mercedes-Benz 190SL Roadster
Commissioned new by FA D.B.N.A. Los Angeles on April 13, 1959, and imported to the USA by Daimler-Benz of North America at Rockefeller Middle, New York on April 23, 1959, this automobile 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 unique physique panels and flooring, it includes a DB40 Black exterior over a 1079 Pink leather-based inside, with a restored DB180 Silver massive window hardtop and detailed undercarriage. Optioned with a uncommon transverse seat behind the passenger seat, it contains copies of manufacturing unit knowledge playing cards, the unique California Black plate, appropriate instruments, baggage, and jack, restoration images, and engine no. 121921199500978. The automobile was featured within the January/February 2016 situation of 190SL Fanatic Journal, with the problem included.
