ESTIMATE
$1,100,000 - $1,400,000HIGHLIGHTS
Perhaps the most legendary and charismatic car of the early post-war era, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe is forever remembered for its distinctive “gullwing” doors. Significantly, they were no stylistic whim, instead playing a very real functional role, because at the heart of the car was a light but complex tubular space-frame chassis. To provide the necessary rigidity, it had to intrude into part of the space usually occupied by conventionally hung doors, so the car’s designers ingeniously decided to hinge them from the roof.
The 300SL, whose name referred to its 3-liter displacement and “Super Light” designation, first appeared in the 1952 Mille Miglia competition in May, won the sports race at the Swiss Grand Prix later in the month and went on to take first and second places at Le Mans. In November 1952 the 300SLs were similarly successful across the Atlantic in the Mexico City Road Race. There was also a roadster version of the design that scored an impressive 1-2-3 victory at the Nürburgring.
In 1955, Guatemalan Mercedes-Benz dealer, collector and veteran sports car racer Manfredo Lippmann imported three new 300SL “Gullwing” coupes to Guatemala for the Central American market. Of the 300 Gullwings built for export outside the United States, they were the only three sold to Guatemala. The first car delivered to Lippmann by Mercedes-Benz was this Silver Grey coupe, serial number 5500606. Its first owner was Mr. Guillermo Suhr, a wealthy young local entrepreneur. In 1957 it was sold to Alan Plihal who, after six years, sold it to Mr. Alfredo Peralta, whose father Enrique Peralta Azurdia was President of Guatemala from 1963 to 1966.
In 1973 the car was purchased by Mr. William Wilmeth, an American resident in Guatemala who sent the engine to a specialist Mercedes dealer in the United States for restoration. Mr. Wilmeth subsequently fell ill and the restoration was left unfinished. Wilmeth later returned to his home in the U.S. and placed the car in dry storage. It remained there for more than 20 years until December 2004, when it was purchased by Guatemalan automotive collector Mario Sueiras.
In 1973 the car was purchased by Mr. William Wilmeth, an American resident in Guatemala who sent the engine to a specialist Mercedes dealer in the United States for restoration. Mr. Wilmeth subsequently fell ill and the restoration was left unfinished. Wilmeth later returned to his home in the U.S. and placed the car in dry storage. It remained there for more than 20 years until December 2004, when it was purchased by Guatemalan automotive collector Mario Sueiras.
Mr. Sueiras then invested more than 2,000 hours of work in a nut-and-bolt restoration that was completed in November 2006. Still powered by the original matching-numbers engine and driveline, this extraordinarily rare Gullwing coupe is finished in Silver Grey Metallic Glasurit® paint and features a Blue leather interior with fitted matching luggage by renowned interior specialists GAHH. Significantly, the original belly pans remain intact on the car, which was equipped during the restoration with chromed reproduction Rudge knock-off wheels. It also retains the original owner’s manual, books and tools.
This fabulous 300SL coupe is registered with the Gullwing Group, the world’s largest 300SL car club with members in 22 countries. Driven fewer than 200 miles since the restoration, it has otherwise remained in Mr. Sueiras’ climate-controlled personal garage, the crown jewel in his impressive collection.
ESTIMATE $1,100,000 - $1,400,000 HIGHLIGHTS The first Mercedes Benz 300SL that entered to Guatemala and is one of the 300 vehicles that the factory made for export outside USA Eco-friendly and water based paint Glasurit Silver Grey Metallic made by BASF Blue leather interiors by GAHH Fitted matching luggage Original manual, books and tools Aftermarket Rudge wheels Original floor pans 2,996cc SOHC inline six cylinder engine Bosch mechanical fuel injection 4-speed manual transmission 4-wheel independent suspension 4-wheel drum brakes 11% buyers premium on this automobile, Import duties have been paid Perhaps the most legendary and charismatic car of the early post-war era, the Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe is forever remembered for its distinctive “gullwing” doors. Significantly, they were no stylistic whim, instead playing a very real functional role, because at the heart of the car was a light but complex tubular space-frame chassis. To provide the necessary rigidity, it had to intrude into part of the space usually occupied by conventionally hung doors, so the car’s designers ingeniously decided to hinge them from the roof. The 300SL, whose name referred to its 3-liter displacement and “Super Light” designation, first appeared in the 1952 Mille Miglia competition in May, won the sports race at the Swiss Grand Prix later in the month and went on to take first and second places at Le Mans. In November 1952 the 300SLs were similarly successful across the Atlantic in the Mexico City Road Race. There was also a roadster version of the design that scored an impressive 1-2-3 victory at the Nürburgring. In 1955, Guatemalan Mercedes-Benz dealer, collector and veteran sports car racer Manfredo Lippmann imported three new 300SL “Gullwing” coupes to Guatemala for the Central American market. Of the 300 Gullwings built for export outside the United States, they were the only three sold to Guatemala. The first car delivered to Lippmann by Mercedes-Benz was this Silver Grey coupe, serial number 5500606. Its first owner was Mr. Guillermo Suhr, a wealthy young local entrepreneur. In 1957 it was sold to Alan Plihal who, after six years, sold it to Mr. Alfredo Peralta, whose father Enrique Peralta Azurdia was President of Guatemala from 1963 to 1966. In 1973 the car was purchased by Mr. William Wilmeth, an American resident in Guatemala who sent the engine to a specialist Mercedes dealer in the United States for restoration. Mr. Wilmeth subsequently fell ill and the restoration was left unfinished. Wilmeth later returned to his home in the U.S. and placed the car in dry storage. It remained there for more than 20 years until December 2004, when it was purchased by Guatemalan automotive collector Mario Sueiras. Mr. Sueiras then invested more than 2,000 hours of work in a nut-and-bolt restoration that was completed in November 2006. Still powered by the original matching-numbers engine and driveline, this extraordinarily rare Gullwing coupe is finished in Silver Grey Metallic Glasurit® paint and features a Blue leather interior with fitted matching luggage by renowned interior specialists GAHH. Significantly, the original belly pans remain intact on the car, which was equipped during the restoration with chromed reproduction Rudge knock-off wheels. It also retains the original owner’s manual, books and tools. This fabulous 300SL coupe is registered with the Gullwing Group, the world’s largest 300SL car club with members in 22 countries. Driven fewer than 200 miles since the restoration, it has otherwise remained in Mr. Sueiras’ climate-controlled personal garage, the crown jewel in his impressive collection.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire