Description
This car is Lot 157 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris Sale on 6 February, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Tuesday 4 February from 08:00 until 18:00 and Wednesday 5 February from 9 AM - 6 PM, at The Grand Palais Historique, Paris.
Lot 157
Offered from the Tom Scott Collection
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé
Registration no.
Chassis no. the details below
One of only 59 delivered new to the UK
Original engine and UK registration number
Ordered new with the desirable Rudge knock-off wheels option
Restored by Daimler-Benz between 1989 and 92
Known ownership history and Scott Collection since 2011
Recently recommissioned by Jim Stokes Workshops Ltd
Bonhams|Cars is delighted to present this Gullwing from the Tom Scott Collection. It was offered, and sold, along with the rest of the Scott Collection at the Goodwood Festival of Speed sale in July 2024. At that time, the car was awaiting the mechanical fuel-injection system to be overhauled and serviced by a specialist contractor in Germany before it could be passed onto the new owner. Sadly, the delay was so long, both Mr Scott and the Buyer agreed for the sale to be cancelled. We are pleased to report the fuel-injection system is now recommissioned and that Jim Stokes Workshops have completed the recommissioning. The car is now presented in operational condition following its road test. All invoices and a summary of these works are available to view with Bonhams|Cars.
Launched in 1954, the production 300 SL retained the spaceframe chassis (the feature that necessitated the gullwing door design) and lightweight aluminium-alloy bodywork of the W194 racer while its mechanical underpinnings, like the latters, owed much to the contemporary Mercedes-Benz 300 luxury saloon. A 2, 996cc overhead-camshaft inline six, the 300 SLs engine was canted at 45 degrees to achieve a low bonnet line and developed to produce 215bhp (DIN) at 5, 800rpm using Bosch mechanical fuel injection. A four-speed, all-synchromesh manual gearbox transmitted power to the hypoid bevel rear axle. Suspension was independent all round: by wishbones and coil springs at the front, with swing axles and coil springs at the rear.
A production 300 SL (W198) was tested by Road & Track magazine in 1955, accelerating from 0-60mph in 7. 4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 140mph. Half expecting the long-awaited 300 SL to provide an anti-climax, R&T were delighted to find the new car, far beyond our wildest expectations. In fact, we can state unequivocally that in our opinion the 300 SL coupé is the ultimate in an all-round sportscar. It combines more desirable features in one streamlined package than we ever imagined or hoped would be possible. Performance? It accelerates from a dead start to 100mph in just over 17 seconds. Dual purpose? A production model 300 SL can make a very acceptable showing in any type of sportscar competition. Yet the car is extremely tractable and easy to drive in traffic. Comfort? The fully enclosed 300 SL is the most comfortable (and safe) high-speed cross-country car built today. High praise indeed and, as accolades go, it could not have been any better.
A 300 SL roadster featuring conventional doors followed and was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957. Its racing parentage notwithstanding, the 300 SL remains a thoroughly practical car, as civilised in city traffic as it is exhilarating on the autostrada. By the time 300 SL Coupé production ceased in 1957, some 1, 400 examples had found customers.
This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is one of only 59 delivered to the UK where they were eagerly snapped up by a veritable whos who of the countrys motoring elite such as Rob Walker (F1 team owner), David Brown (Aston Martin proprietor), Earl Howe (BRDC president), King Hussein of Jordan (studying in Britain at the time), R S Wilkins (financier and Brooklands racing driver), Harry Hyams (property magnate) and Daniel de Ferranti (entrepreneur and amateur racer).
Chassis 00152 was ordered by a Mr V D Yates and supplied in April 1955 with the registration 2 DMY. It is not known how long Mr Yates kept his 300 SL but the car remained in England until the late 1980s when it was acquired by the next owner, a German doctor. At that time Gullwing values were rising rapidly and the owner decided to embark upon a no-expense-spared restoration.
This was carried out between 1989 and 1992 at the Daimler-Benz works in Kassel. As an important client the owner was entitled to a special trade reduction of 25% on the cost of these works, but even after this discount the total restoration bill amounted to a heady DM460, 000. Copies of these invoices are available for inspection in a specially bound book.
Everything possible was replaced or refurbished including the interior, glass, bonnet and boot lids, brightwork, wings and instruments. The axles, engine, gearbox and other running gear were rebuilt at the Stuttgart works while the radiator, brakes, electrics and rubber seals were also renewed. Two chassis plates are to be found in the usual places although the plate on the bulkhead appears to be a replacement and likely fitted by the factory during its restoration. The other plate on the chassis itself looks very much original and affixed beside the indistinct chassis number stamping.
The body received new silver paintwork, red leather upholstery and matching red carpets in the original material, plus new beige cloth headlining. Even the original loudspeakers were restored. The cars overall appearance is complimented by the optional (and highly attractive) Rudge knock-off wheels that were specified for 2 DMY as new.
This Gullwing is a car the Bonhams|Cars team know well. The immediately preceding owner purchased the 300 SL at the Bonhams & Brooks Nürburgring Sale in August 2001 (Lot 122) and kept the car for the next ten years. Tom Scott Snr. then purchased the Mercedes at the Bonhams Monaco Sale in May 2011 (Lot 138). At that time it was stated that the 300 SL showed virtually no signs of use, although being started and gently exercised regularly. The odometer had recorded a mere 850 kilometres since the Mercedes-Benz rebuild and, at the time of cataloguing, it is reading just less than 900 kilometres.
The substantial history file contains copies of previous UK registration documents; copy factory build sheet; old German Fahrzeugbrief; expired MoTs; an original 300 SL Operating Manual (in German); auction catalogue descriptions and much more besides.
This pretty Gullwing presents very well. It may not be the most original, having had much of its body replaced during the 1989-1992 restoration, but it is factory restored with very well-known and respected provenance. Most importantly, it is priced accordingly and ready to be enjoyed by an enthusiast new owner
Please note that if this vehicle is sold to a French private buyer or an EU private individual the reduced rate of Import VAT at 5. 5% will be charged on the hammer price. The Import VAT will be invoiced to you by our custom broker who will also charge a clearance fee. If you buy as a Trader or Company however, the Finances Publiques will charge you directly (based on our customs broker clearance) and the French VAT Import Charges will not appear on your Bonhams invoice. Please note that if you purchase as an EU Company, you are required to pay the VAT in your registered country at the relevant rate. Import rates to other EU Countries may vary and an administration fee will be charged to prepare the necessary customs clearance. If you have any questions regarding customs clearance, please contact the Bonhams Motorcar Department or our recommended shippers.
Please note there is restricted bidding on this lot which requires enhanced bid verification checks. Please contact us at using the button below or call +44 20 7447 7447 as soon as possible if you are planning to bid on this lot to prevent any last-minute delays.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
