Makes › Mercedes-Benz › 300 SL and SLR › 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198) · Rare production · 1954–1957 Rare

Mercedes-Benz
300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198)

Mercedes-Benz’s gull-winged sports coupé of 1954–1957, derived from the 300 SL racing car. 1,400 were built.

1,400Coupés builtFactory reported

3Chassis documentedin this archive

?SurvivingNot yet verified

Contents

01Overview
02Production & history
03Specifications
- Technical specifications
04Colours & options
- Factory colours & interiors
- Factory options & codes
05Individual cars
06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built: 1,400 Coupés built
Years: 1954–1957
Engine: Straight-six with mechanical direct fuel injection, installed at an angle · 2,996 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,996 cc
Power: 158 kW / 215 PSFactory: 215 PS
Top speed: 250 km/hFactory: 250 km/h
Body: Not yet verified
Designer: Friedrich Geiger (body styling); tubular frame by Rudolf Uhlenhaut
In this archive: 3 individual cars documented
Surviving: Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 300 SL had the world’s first four-stroke production engine with direct fuel injection. Its doors open upwards because the tubular space frame needed high sills – not as a styling gimmick. 29 coupés were built with aluminium bodies.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityRare 1,400 · Coupés built¹

Specification rarityNot yet assessed

Colour rarityNot yet assessed

Individual rarityNot yet assessed

Historical rarityNot yet assessed

Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing in the Musée National de l'Automobile)
Photo: joergens.mi · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing in the Musée National de l'Automobile)
Photo: joergens.mi · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing in the Musée National de l'Automobile)
Photo: joergens.mi · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198) (Wikimedia Commons: Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing in the Musée National de l'Automobile)
Photo: Zairon · CC BY-SA 4.0

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is counted	Figure	Basis	Status
Total model productionAll 300 SL Coupés 1954–1957, steel and aluminium	1,400¹Strongest evidence	Manufacturer reported	Factory reported
Body style production300 SL Roadster (built after the coupé), for context	1,858¹	Manufacturer reported	Factory reported
Total model production300 SL (W 198 I) built, of which 29 with light-alloy body, August 1954 to May 1957	1,400²	Factory production	Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The 300 SL Coupé was presented at the International Motor Sports Show in New York on 6 February 1954. Max Hoffman, Mercedes-Benz’s importer for the eastern United States and from late 1953 its general agent for the whole country, is credited by magazines with pushing for the car; Mercedes-Benz’s own text credits him with the 190 SL and the 1957 300 SL Roadster. The launch price in Germany was DM 29,000. After the coupé, 1,858 300 SL Roadsters were built.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198).

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing

Built: 29 Built in aluminium^3,6,7
Rarity: Ultra Rare
Years: 1955–1956
In the chassis register: 3 documented

How it differs from the standard 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198)

Only 29 of the 1,400 Gullwings were built with an all-aluminium body, to customer order in Mercedes-Benz’s racing department at Untertürkheim – most of them in 1955.

The aluminium body saved roughly 80–107 kg depending on the source. Rudge centre-lock wheels were standard, and many cars had the NSL high-performance engine (240 instead of 215 PS). The aluminium body added $1,307 to the US base price.

Production

What is counted	Figure	Basis	Status
Body style productionGullwings with all-aluminium bodies	29^3,6,7	Factory production	Independently researched

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

Specification differences

Engine

Power	177 kW / 240 PSFactory: 240 PS³ Independently researchedNSL high-performance option; not every Alloy car had it.

Chassis, body & dimensions

Front suspension	As standard car but with sports suspension (special springs and dampers)^4,5 Independently researched
Rear suspension	Swing axle with sports suspension (stiffer springs and dampers)⁵ Independently researched
Brakes	Drum brakes; front drums with enlarged cooling fins⁵ Independently researched
Body construction	All-aluminium body built in the racing department, Untertürkheim³ Independently researched
Kerb weight	1,203 kgFactory: 1,203 kg⁶ Independently researched

Only values published separately for this variant. Everything else: see the 300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198) specification on this page.

Identifying a genuine Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing

RM Sotheby’s, citing factory records, gives 24 cars in 1955 and 5 in 1956; Sports Car Market (2008) gives 26 and 3. Both agree on 29 in total.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine family	Not yet verified
Engine code	M 198⁸ Independently researched
Layout	Straight-six with mechanical direct fuel injection, installed at an angle¹
Displacement	2,996 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,996 cc^9,10 Independently researched
Bore	85 mmFactory: 85 mm¹¹
Stroke	88 mmFactory: 88 mm¹¹
Compression ratio	8.55:1¹¹
Fuel system	Bosch mechanical direct injection¹² Independently researched
Power	158 kW / 215 PSFactory: 215 PS^1,9auto motor und sport (2024) states that 215 PS needed the optional sports camshaft and the base engine gave 190 PS; Mercedes-Benz gives 215 PS without qualification. Unresolved.
Power at	5,800 rpm⁹ Independently researched
Torque	274 NmFactory: 274 Nm⁹ Independently researchedAlso reported: 275 Nm¹⁰
Torque at	4,600 rpm⁹ Independently researched

Transmission & drivetrain

Gearbox	Four-speed manual⁹ Independently researched
Gears	4⁹ Independently researched
Driven wheels	Rear wheels¹¹

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassis	Tubular space frame¹
Front suspension	Double wishbones, coil springs, torsion-bar stabiliser, telescopic shock absorbers¹¹
Rear suspension	Swing axle, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers¹¹
Brakes	Hydraulic four-wheel drum brakes with vacuum booster¹¹
Steering	Recirculating-ball steering¹¹
Body construction	Sheet-steel body (light-alloy body on 29 cars) on tubular space frame¹¹
Wheelbase	2,400 mmFactory: 2,400 mm^9,10 Independently researched
Length	4,520 mmFactory: 4,520 mm⁹ Independently researched
Width	1,790 mmFactory: 1,790 mm⁹ Independently researched
Height	1,300 mmFactory: 1,300 mm⁹ Independently researched
Front track	1,385 mmFactory: 1,385 mm¹¹
Rear track	1,435 mmFactory: 1,435 mm¹¹
Kerb weight	1,310 kgFactory: 1,310 kg⁶ Independently researchedAlso reported: 1295 kg¹⁰ Discrepancy
Dry weight	Not yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed	250 km/hFactory: 250 km/h¹Also reported: 228 km/h⁶ DiscrepancyUp to 250 km/h depending on the axle ratio; about 228 km/h with the standard ratio (auto motor und sport).
0–100 km/h	10 s¹¹
Fuel tank	100 LFactory: 100 L¹¹

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

ChassisVariantBuiltOriginal colourWhere nowStatus

198.043.5500208Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing——Private collectionHistorically documented

The sixth of the 29 aluminium-bodied Gullwings.

Engine number: 198.980.5500218¹² Independently researched
Where now: Private collection

2012-01
Auction Sold at Gooding & Company, Scottsdale, lot 27 (estimate $2.5–3.0 million). 4,620,000 USD¹²

¹²

198.043.5500332Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing—Silver Grey Metallic (DB 180)Private collectionHistorically documented

The 13th of the 24 Alloy Gullwings built in 1955, ordered by the Mercedes-Benz agent in Casablanca.

Engine number: 198.980.5500346⁷ Independently researched
Original exterior: Silver Grey Metallic (DB 180)⁷ Independently researched
Original interior: Blue vinyl and blue gabardine⁷ Independently researched
Where now: Private collection

1955-05-27
Factory Completed at Untertürkheim.⁷
1979
Restoration Restored by Paul Russell and Company; “Best Gullwing” at the 1980 Gullwing Group meeting.⁷
2022-01
Auction Sold at RM Sotheby’s Arizona, lot 159. 6,825,000 USD⁷

⁷

198.043.5500872Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing—Black (DB 40)Private collectionHistorically documented

The 26th of the 29 Alloy Gullwings and the only one originally finished in black over red leather. In 2024 it became the most valuable Alloy Gullwing sold at auction.

Engine number: 198.980.5500868¹³ Independently researched
Body number: 198.043.5500026¹³ Independently researched
Original exterior: Black (DB 40)¹³ Independently researched
Original interior: Red leather (1079)¹³ Independently researched
Where now: Private collection

1956-01-12
Factory Completed. Reportedly ordered by Luigi Chinetti (unconfirmed by RM Sotheby’s).¹³
1976-08
Ownership Bought from Luigi Chinetti by a Los Angeles collector, in whose collection it remained for nearly five decades.¹³
2024-10-26
Auction Sold at RM Sotheby’s “The Junkyard”, Los Angeles, lot 290 – a world record for an Alloy Gullwing. 9,355,000 USD^14,15

¹³

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Date	Chassis	Event
2012-01	198.043.5500208	Sold at Gooding & Company, Scottsdale, lot 27 (estimate $2.5–3.0 million). 4,620,000 USD¹²
2022-01	198.043.5500332	Sold at RM Sotheby’s Arizona, lot 159. 6,825,000 USD⁷
2024-10-26	198.043.5500872	Sold at RM Sotheby’s “The Junkyard”, Los Angeles, lot 290 – a world record for an Alloy Gullwing. 9,355,000 USD (incl. premium)^14,15

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Being verified against factory or registry sources before it is published. Have a source? Contribute it.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1
70 Jahre Über-Flügler: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé Level B Markus Jordan · mbpassion.de (text: Mercedes-Benz Group AG) · 2024-02-01
- “1.400 Fahrzeuge des 300 SL Coupé werden von 1954 bis 1957 gebaut”
- “dann folgen noch einmal 1.858 Roadster”
- Weltweit erster serienmäßiger Viertakt-Einspritzmotor mit Direkteinspritzung
- 158 kW (215 PS)
- Gitterrohrrahmen; doors constructionally necessary
- Höchstgeschwindigkeit von bis zu 250 km/h
Limitations: Mirror of a Mercedes-Benz Group text; official pages not reachable. Accessed 2026-11-11
2
300 SL / W 198 I, 1954 - 1957 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
- Units produced : 1400 (of which 29 with light-alloy body)
Accessed 2026-11-12
3
Seltener 300 SL in der Aluminium-Variante steht zum Verkauf Level C mbpassion.de · 2020-11-15
- „NSL“-Hochleistungsoption mit 240 statt 215 PS
- In der Motorsportabteilung in Untertürkheim komplett in Alu gefertigt
- „Nur 29 von rund 1.400 Gullwings … komplett in Alu“
Accessed 2026-11-11
4
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, London 2012, lot 158 Level C RM Sotheby's · 2012-10-31
- installation of special springs and dampers
Accessed 2026-11-11
5
The brilliant, rare Mercedes-Benz 300SL Lightweight Level C Charlie Calderwood · Classic & Sports Car · 2025-11-10
- stiffer dampers and springs promised greater cornering abilities
- stiffer dampers and springs … reining-in of the snappy … swing-axle rear
- Front drums with enlarged cooling fins
Accessed 2026-11-11
6
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W 198) Flügeltürer im Fahrbericht Level C auto motor und sport · 2024-07-06
- Leergewicht 1.203 Kilogramm
- mit 29 Exemplaren
- das Coupé mit 1.310 Kilogramm
- 228 km/h with the standard axle ratio
Accessed 2026-11-11
7
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, Arizona 2022, lot 159 Level C RM Sotheby’s
- “just 29 examples were made available to privateers”
- Engine no. 198.980.5500346
- Silver Gray Metallic (DB 180)
- blue vinyl and blue gabardine
- “completed at Untertürkheim on 27 May 1955”
- Paul Russell restoration; Best Gullwing 1980
- $6,825,000
- Chassis 198.043.5500332
Accessed 2026-11-11
8
Road car buying guide: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Level C Motor Sport · 2020-06
- “the fuel-injected M198 straight six”
Accessed 2026-11-11
9
Mercedes 300 SL im Test – technische Daten Level C auto motor und sport
- 2996 cm³
- 158 kW / 215 PS bei 5800 U/min
- bei 5800 U/min
- 274 Nm bei 4600 U/min
- bei 4600 U/min
- 4-Gang Schaltgetriebe
- 4-Gang
- 2400 mm
- 4520 x 1790 x 1300 mm
Accessed 2026-11-11
10
ADAC Autokatalog: Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé (08/54–05/57) Level C ADAC
- 2996 ccm
- 275 Nm (bei 4600 U/min)
- 2400 mm
- Leergewicht (EU) 1295 kg
Accessed 2026-11-11
11
300 SL / W 198 I, 1954 - 1957 – Specifications Level A Mercedes-Benz Classic (Mercedes-Benz public archive)
- Bore x Stroke: 85 x 88 mm (Engine)
- Compression ratio: 8,55 (Engine)
- Driven wheels: rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
- double wishbone; coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser (Chassis and Drivetrain)
- Rear-wheel suspension: swing axle; Rear springs: coil springs (Chassis and Drivetrain)
- hydraulic, with vacuum booster … four-wheel drum brakes (Chassis and Drivetrain)
- Steering: recirculating-ball steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
- tubular space frame / sheet-steel-or light-alloy bodywork
- 1400 (of which 29 with light-alloy body)
- Front / rear track: 1385 / 1435 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
- Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 10 s (Transmission and Performance)
- Fuel tank: position / capacity: in the rear / 100 l (Engine)
Accessed 2026-11-11
12
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, Scottsdale 2012, lot 27 Level C Gooding & Company
- Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
- Engine no. 198.980.5500218
- SOLD $4,620,000
- “The Sixth of 29 Aluminum-Bodied 300 SL Gullwings Built”
Accessed 2026-11-11
13
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Alloy” Gullwing, The Junkyard – the Rudi Klein Collection, lot 290 Level C RM Sotheby’s
- Engine no. 198.980.5500868
- Body no. 198.043.5500026
- Schwarz (DB 40)
- Red leather (1079)
- “Completed on 12 January 1956”
- Acquired directly from Chinetti in August 1976
- Chassis 198.043.5500872, the 26th of 29
Accessed 2026-11-11
14
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Alloy (profile) Level C Paul Hageman · Sports Car Market
- $9,355,000 incl. premium
Accessed 2026-11-11
15
RK24 results Level C RM Sotheby’s (press release) · 2024-10-28
- World record for an Alloy Gullwing
Accessed 2026-11-11

Research coverage

Production figures3 recorded

Technical data30 verified values

Factory coloursNot yet researched

Option codesNot yet researched

Chassis documented3 of 1400

Photographs4

Shows what this archive has recorded so far – not how much of the history is known.

Editorial status

Reviewed · 2026-11-11

Revision history (3)

2026-11-11 Record created; every fact checked against the cited source.
2026-11-11 Research gaps filled from sources (14 values).
2026-11-12 Research gaps filled from sources (1 values).

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Mercedes-Benz
300 SL Coupé “Gullwing” (W 198)

At a glance

Why it matters

How rare is it?

Photos

Production

History