Pristine 1955 Gullwing Mercedes Up For Auction Soon

Content provided by BenzInsider.com

To the cognoscenti, the 300 SL Gullwing Mercedes is a classic car that is as desirable today as it was when introduced in the 1950s. Capable of speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour, the SL represented a significant technological advance in both design and engineering. With its long hood, swing up doors and fuel injected inline six, it had few equals from that era. Of the 867 SL coupes built in 1955, few remain in existence today.

RM Auctions has been tasked to auction a 1955 Gullwing that was featured in the film Father of Invention. The expected price when the car changes hands is expected to be between $575,000 and $675,000.

Built as a left-hand driver, this Gullwing spent its first 23 years in England. It was brought to the United States, where it has resided and been subject to a 15-year restoration. Red with a tan interior, it has the standard 300 SL engine of an OHC inline six producing 215 horsepower from its 3-liter displacement. Other mechanical highlights include four-speed manual transmission, four-wheel independent suspension, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The car changed owners in 2005 and in 2008 was serviced at the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine, California, where it received a thorough detailing, including the engine compartment, interior and exterior finish.