1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Bids Past $1.2M on Bring a Trailer

A 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is offered on Bring a Trailer with bidding past $1.2M, over $101k in recent service, and rally participation. Explore details.

A 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing has appeared on Bring a Trailer, and calling it merely rare would be an understatement. The car is one of 1,400 Gullwing coupes produced between 1954 and 1957, and bidding has already climbed past $1.2 million with several days remaining.

This particular example, chassis 1980406500242, left the factory on September 24, 1956 and was delivered new to Los Angeles. According to the listing, it remained in California under three owners before being acquired by the selling dealer two years ago. It is now offered out of Newport Beach, California, with an Arizona title and recent service documentation.

More than $101,000 in service work was carried out in 2025 alone. The work included resealing the four-speed manual transmission, machining the flywheel, fabricating a dual-point distributor, replacing the fuel tank, filters, and tires, as well as servicing the braking system. The hood and 15-inch wheels were refinished, and interior elements were refreshed. The six-figure service total is highlighted in the listing’s essentials, underscoring the seller’s emphasis on mechanical condition.

The broader significance of the 300SL is firmly established. It became the first production four-stroke automobile to feature Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection. Its 3.0-liter M198 inline-six, equipped with dry-sump lubrication, was factory rated at 215 horsepower at 5,800 rpm. The lightweight tubular space frame required high door sills, leading to the iconic upward-opening “Gullwing” doors that define the model’s silhouette.

This car was originally finished in Hellblau Metallic (DB 353) but was later repainted black. White number 8 roundels appear on the hood and decklid, while Colorado Grand and 300SL Classic decals are affixed to the sides. The bumper guards and hubcaps have been removed. Inside, the cabin—once delivered with red leather—now features black upholstery, with seat cushions retrimmed in 2025 in blue leather and plaid cloth.

The listing also notes participation in the Colorado Grand and the 300SL Classic, with Mike Kunz of Mercedes-Benz Classic in the United States reportedly behind the wheel during one of the events. Both rallies are recognized multi-day driving tours for historic automobiles, including the 300SL, adding documented road use to the car’s profile.

Market data aggregated by Classic.com shows recent Gullwing auction results ranging from roughly $1.3 million to over $5 million depending on condition and provenance. Against that backdrop, the current $1.2 million bid does not yet exceed established norms, though late bidding activity could shift the outcome.

This example combines limited production, documented factory origins, substantial recent mechanical work, and participation in marque-specific driving events. Together, these elements position it not simply as a static collectible, but as a Gullwing that has continued to be exercised on the road—an aspect that carries weight within the classic Mercedes-Benz community.