The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing needs no introduction; it has been a favorite among automotive enthusiasts, competitive drivers, and the general public since it was first introduced 70 years ago. It has been included on countless Top 10 lists of the greatest automobiles of all time, and its radical, timeless design has come to utterly define the essence of a sports car. Author and pre-eminent automotive historian Griffith Borgeson wrote of the 300 SL for Sports Car Illustrated magazine in 1956: “After exhaustive road testing of a standard 300SL, after driving impressions in a race-tuned version and interviews with several owners and specialist technicians, I’m ready to haul off and make a flat, unequivocal statement: This is the finest production sports car in the world. No exceptions, no qualifications. On all critical counts, it scores.”

Nearly 80% of the 1,400 Gullwings built were sent to American shores, however, the 300 SL offered here was sold new in its native Germany, and it still bears its metric instrumentation set. According to the accompanying copy of its factory build record, chassis 5500656 was built in late-1955, finished in traditional Silver (DB 180) over a blue cloth and vinyl interior, and optioned with a Becker Mexico radio. According to a rarely seen factory receipt on file, in August of that year, the Gullwing was sold to its first owner, Heinrich Schmid of Reutlingen, Germany.

The Gullwing’s records continue in 1964, when it was acquired by James Palmer of New Jersey via an American serviceman, and a fantastic archival photo of Mr. Palmer and his Gullwing remains on file. Over the ensuing decades, Mr. Palmer enjoyed his Gullwing and, beginning in 1982, retained the renowned Bob Platz of Precision Autoworks to cosmetically restore it. The restoration included performing light bodywork and refinishing it in black with an oxblood red leather interior in the correct style of the original Roser hides, which are no longer made. Mr. Palmer would keep ownership of the Gullwing until 2001, an impressive 37-year tenure. Its next long-term owner was Thomas H. Larsen of Massachusetts, from whose estate it is offered today. Mr. Larsen purchased the Gullwing from Bruce Canepa in 2011, following mechanical and cosmetic work, spanning 2007 to 2009 in his renowned facility, according to detailed invoices on file.

Mr. Larsen was truly the prototypical 300 SL owner and Gull Wing Group member, and the myriad awards accompanying the car aptly document his pride of ownership and enthusiasm for presenting his car to the public. The various trophies and ribbons document the Gullwing’s success at East Coast venues including the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Mercedes-Benz Club of America’s Germanfest, and the Weston Antique and Classic Car Show. Awards include a Best of Show trophy from the Larz Anderson Auto Museum’s German Car Day and a finisher’s plaque from the 2014 running of the Colorado Grand. For a year, spanning 2017–2018, Mr. Larsen generously loaned his prized Gullwing to the fabled Larz Anderson Auto Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts, for its visitors to enjoy.

Today, the Gullwing presents beautifully throughout, with its matching two-piece set of fitted luggage, delicately crafted, early-production concave-star grille, European-market headlights, and sleek chrome bumpers without the over-riders so often seen on US-based 300 SLs. Additionally, each piece of fixed glass bears the large Sekurit logo, and the windshield is etched with the expected Sigla mark, which alerts keen-eyed inspectors to this Gullwing’s integrity.

Although the stock steering wheel is currently installed, the 300 SL is supplied with a wooden-rimmed Nardi wheel as well. A copy of its build record is on file, which confirms its factory finishes, options, and importantly, that 5500656 retains its original engine, stamped no. 5500704. Showing just 55,790 km (34,667 miles) at the time of cataloguing, this striking Gullwing has proven itself both on the show field and on long-distance rallies. Arguably the centerpiece of Tom Larsen’s collection of iconic mid-century sports cars, this stunning, black Gullwing exhibits a seldom-seen refinement. It can further be argued that no collection is complete without a 300 SL Coupe, and for those seeking a long-cherished example with a short list of caretakers, the search ends here.