The influence of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing on the cultural spirit of the 20th century extends beyond just racing due to its substantial production quantities. From 1954 to 1957, Mercedes-Benz produced 1,400 units of the Gullwing, with a significant number being raced on various tracks globally.
Keeping a close technical and aesthetic resemblance to its successful sibling, the 300 SLR racing sportscar of 1955 also greatly benefited the 300 SL. The production gullwing is known as the “first supercar”, while its 3.0-liter SLR cousin is referred to as the “first hypercar” for reaching speeds over 180 mph with a magnesium body and 300-horsepower engine.
When a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was not on the front page of a publication’s sports coverage, there was a good chance that one could be found pasted to the entertainment section, as the super-leicht has always been associated with the world’s socialites, business tycoons, movie stars, and royals. The 300 SL was also a bastion of individuality and expression; an owner could have Gullwing in any color combination, and with as many of the factory’s optional extras as they desired.
The technologically advanced Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s world-beating pedigree earned the model countless headline-grabbing victories at many of the world’s premier sportscar races, not to mention numerous amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. But perhaps what is most remarkable about the Gullwing was that it achieved such laurels while also proving to be one of the most elegant, chic, and desirable automobiles of the century—a machine often hailed as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
While easily identified due to its unique and daring design based on the lightweight spaceframe construction of the successful W194 and W196 racing cars from the early 1950s, the 300 SL Gullwing appeared in various locations simultaneously, from movies to iconic roads, and from prestigious streets to remote regions, showcasing its versatility and popularity. Contrary to most highly sought-after mid-century classics such as the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Lamborghini Miura, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing stood out for its widespread availability.Keeping a close technical and aesthetic resemblance to its successful sibling, the 300 SLR racing sportscar of 1955 also greatly benefited the 300 SL. The production gullwing is known as the “first supercar”, while its 3.0-liter SLR cousin is referred to as the “first hypercar” for reaching speeds over 180 mph with a magnesium body and 300-horsepower engine.
When a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was not on the front page of a publication’s sports coverage, there was a good chance that one could be found pasted to the entertainment section, as the super-leicht has always been associated with the world’s socialites, business tycoons, movie stars, and royals. The 300 SL was also a bastion of individuality and expression; an owner could have Gullwing in any color combination, and with as many of the factory’s optional extras as they desired.
The technologically advanced Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing’s world-beating pedigree earned the model countless headline-grabbing victories at many of the world’s premier sportscar races, not to mention numerous amateur rally, road, and endurance racing championships. But perhaps what is most remarkable about the Gullwing was that it achieved such laurels while also proving to be one of the most elegant, chic, and desirable automobiles of the century—a machine often hailed as “a spacecraft on four wheels.”
