The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL (W198) was one of the most revolutionary and iconic sports cars of the 20th century. Developed in the early 1950s, it was based on the W194 racing car and became famous for its advanced engineering, performance, and signature gullwing doors.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is a two-seater sports car that was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz between 1954 and 1963. Initially it was produced with a coupe body, being released in a convertible version in 1957.
The 300 SL coupe became known as the 300 SL Gullwing (gullwing) due to its striking doors that, fixed to the roof, open vertically. It was also one of the first supercars made in history. At the time of its release it was the fastest production car in history.
Only 1400 coupes were made (from 1954 to 1957) and 1858 convertibles (from 1957 to 1963). Today, in the vintage market, it is one of the most desired cars, usually selling between 1 and 2 million dollars.
The history of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
In 1952, Mercedes-Benz returned to racing after World War II with the W194 300 SL, a lightweight, aerodynamically optimized race car. The W194 had a tubular spaceframe chassis, which was extremely strong but required high side sills, leading to the use of gullwing doors. It was powered by a 3.0L inline-six engine, producing around 175 hp.
In 1953, Mercedes-Benz did not participate in sports car racing, focusing instead on Formula 1. At the same time, Max Hoffman, a New York-based Mercedes-Benz importer, saw an opportunity for a road-going version of the 300 SL, convinced it would appeal to wealthy American enthusiasts. Hoffman pushed Mercedes-Benz to develop a production version, promising to order 1,000 units if they made it.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was launched at the 1954 New York Auto Show, the 300 SL (W198) retained the tubular spaceframe and gullwing doors. It introduced direct fuel injection, making it the first production car with this technology. The 3.0L inline-six M198 engine produced 215 hp, significantly more than the race version. A four-speed manual transmission sent power to the rear wheels. The top speed was around 260 km/h (162 mph), making it the fastest production car of its time. A low-drag, streamlined body with a long hood and short rear deck gave it a striking presence.
Production & Evolution
- 1954-1957: The 300 SL Gullwing coupe was produced with 1,400 units built.
- 1957-1963: The 300 SL Roadster replaced the coupe, featuring conventional doors and a lowered chassis for easier entry.
The 300 SL set new standards for sports cars, combining racing pedigree with cutting-edge technology. It influenced later Mercedes-Benz models, especially the SL-Class. Today, it is one of the most valuable classic cars, with prices often exceeding $1 million at auctions.
The photos below were taken at the V* Hotel and at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart (2019):
The Miniatures
Schuco 1/12
Burago 1/24
Hot Wheels RLC 1/64
Hot Wheels Premium 1/64
Hot Wheels 1/64 – Vintage Racing Club
Hot Wheels Mainline 1/64
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