This Rare 1957 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing Could Fetch $2 Million at Auction

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is considered by many to be the greatest sports car of all time— with apologies to the Ferrari F40, Porsche 911, and McLaren F1. Now, a rare, restored example is set to tempt collectors as it crosses the block this weekend.

As part of its 4,500-vehicle Kissimmee 2025 auction in Florida, Mecum will offer a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing on Saturday. It’s one of 70 produced for the model year, and comes with just 20,807 miles on the odometer. Fully restored in 1999, its inline six-cylinder makes 215 hp and is mated to a 4-speed gearbox, meaning those classic good looks also offer a fair amount of pep.

The 300 SL Gullwing was the fastest production car in the world in its time, getting up to 163 mph, but, more enduringly, the Gullwing made famous its namesake doors, which have since become a feature supercar makers still add to announce themselves and their latest creations.

Some 1,400 Gullwing coupes were made with an additional 1,858 Gullwing roadsters, which is enough to make them rare but not vanishingly so. Their relative availability combined with their legend have sent prices at auctions soaring from almost the moment 300 Sl Gullwings sold new. The greatest sports car of all time is also the most expensive car ever sold at auction, with one example fetching $142 million in 2022.

Of course, not all Gullwings will sell for nine figures. A great many, in fact, live in the seven-figure world, or even less for the roadsters. This example is expected to fetch up to $2 million.

The car is nothing if not striking. Its exterior is painted a dignified Silver Gray, while the interior is awash in lipstick red. This includes red bucket seats with Alfred Baisch lap belts originally intended for racing and a two-piece red luggage set made for touring. The steering wheel, meanwhile, is three-spoke woodgrain with a cream logo in the center, along with the white shifter knob.

The odometer reading suggests that this particular 300 SL has been enjoyed but not overly so; hopefully the car’s next owner, or steward, can do the same.

Mecum’s Kissimmee 2025 auction takes place at Osceola Heritage Park in Florida through January 19.

Click here for more photos of the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.

Credit: robbreport.com