Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé (W 198 I)
Check 198.040 steel or 198.043 light-alloy factory identity, then confirm the original body and the components fitted today.
What to check before buying
Check 198.040 steel or 198.043 light-alloy factory identity, then confirm the original body and the components fitted today.
Use the factory build record and the individual auction or provenance evidence to assess a particular car.
Documented auction results
If you’re deciding what to offer, start with transactions for cars of similar specification and history. Check the sale date, condition, and whether the price included buyer’s premium.
| Chassis | Date and auction | Outcome and price | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 198.040.7500079 | 2024RM Sotheby’s · amfAR x RM Sotheby's1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing "The Last One" | SoldUSD 2,400,000 · Published sold price | Auction evidence |
| 198.043.5500872 | 2024RM Sotheby’s · The Junkyard: The Rudi Klein Collection1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing | SoldUSD 9,355,000 · Published sold price | Auction evidenceRM’s addendum confirms the 1976 transfer and leaves earlier ownership open. |
| 198.043.5500332 | 2022RM Sotheby’s · Arizona 20221955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing | SoldUSD 6,825,000 · Published sold price | Auction evidence |
| 198.043.5500786 | 2022RM Sotheby’s · Monterey 20221955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing | SoldUSD 5,010,000 · Published sold price | Auction evidence |
| 198.043.5500786 | 2015RM Sotheby’s · Monterey 20151955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing | UnsoldEstimate USD 5,500,000 to USD 6,500,000 | Auction evidence |
| 198.040.5500640 | 2015RM Sotheby’s · New York - Driven By Disruption 20151955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Sportabteilung' Gullwing | UnsoldEstimate USD 5,000,000 to USD 7,000,000 | Auction evidence |
| 198.043.5500786 | 2012RM Sotheby’s · London 20121955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing | Unsold | Auction evidence |
| 198.043.5500786 | 2004RM Sotheby’s · The Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction 20041955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing | UnsoldEstimate USD 800,000 to USD 1,000,000 | Auction evidence |
| 198.043.5500786 | 2003RM Sotheby’s · Vintage Motor Cars at Amelia Island 20031955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Alloy' Gullwing | SoldUSD 700,000 · Published sold price | Auction evidence |
Commission a search or pre-purchase review
Source a car
Set the model, specification, budget, and timetable. We run the private search and screen candidates against your brief.
Private sourcingAssess a car you’ve found
Review the seller’s records, comparable sales, and questions for an independent marque specialist before deciding what to offer.
Pre-purchase advice
We agree the written scope, fee, and any specialist costs before work begins.
Factory specification and chronology
- Production
- 1954–1957
- Factory purpose
- Road
Alternative names
Also recorded as Gullwing.
Documented variants
| Variant | Production | Body style | Coachbuilder | Wheelbase | Factory specification | Documented examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé Light-Alloy BodyAlloy Gullwing | — | — | — | — | Road and competition · 198.043 · Light alloy | 198.043.5500786198.043.5500872198.043.5500332 |
Individual chassis histories
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, chassis 198.043.5500786
Five RM Sotheby’s appearances document the same Alloy Gullwing and its varying auction outcomes.
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, chassis 198.043.5500872
The Rudi Klein Alloy Gullwing retains multiple numbered original components. The lot addendum qualifies its early ownership.
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, chassis 198.040.7500079
Catalogued as the final Gullwing by chassis sequence and delivery date at the amfAR x RM Sotheby’s event.
- Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupé, chassis 198.040.5500640
RM’s Sportabteilung attribution warrants review of the individual works history. The catalogue gives a 198.040 chassis.