SANTA MONICA, Calif. (May 30, 2017) – Gooding & Company, the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, reveals a pair of Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs, a Gullwing and a Roadster, that come from single family ownership. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL has always been revered as a pinnacle of design and engineering, with highly original examples that showcase limited mileage and long-term ownership being the most coveted by collectors. Such is the case with these recently found cars. The Gullwing and Roadster have been cherished throughout their 60-year-plus lifetimes, and now the time has arrived for new caretakers to enjoy these wonderful automobiles.
“Today, some 60 years on, it is almost impossible to find another pair of 300 SLs still in their original family ownership and unrestored,” notes Garth Hammers, Specialist at Gooding & Company. “I think collectors are going to be very excited to see these two particular cars come to auction at Pebble Beach.”
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing (Estimate: $1,000,000-$1,300,000) The story begins with a car-loving publishing executive living in the Midwest in the mid-1950s. When he ordered a 1955 Gullwing through Max Hoffman’s New York dealership, he eschewed convention and adamantly specified that his new sports car be outfitted in British Racing Green (DB 221) over tan leather. A rarely seen color combination among the total of 1,400 Gullwings built. Even more surprising, this Gullwing has accrued just over 16,000 miles from new and remains in original, unrestored condition.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (Estimate: $800,000-$1,000,000) When the 300 SL Roadster debuted in 1957, this car aficionado seized the opportunity to acquire an example to complement his bespoke Gullwing, finished in the stunning Silver-Blue Metallic (DB 353) over a gray leather interior and a parchment soft top. The Roadster now shows just under 38,000 miles and still retains its original matching Karl Baisch luggage set. As one of the most iconic and beautiful designs in the history of Mercedes-Benz, this Roadster is an untouched beauty and the perfect preservation candidate.
The Pebble Beach Auctions Dates: Friday, August 18 at 6:00 PM PDT and Saturday, August 19 at 11:00 AM PDT Location: Pebble Beach Equestrian Center Corner of Stevenson Drive and Portola Road, Pebble Beach, CA Public preview: Wednesday, August 16 through Saturday, August 19 Auction catalogues: $100, includes admission for two to the viewing and the auction General admission: $40, includes admission for one to the viewing and the auction Live auction broadcast: www.goodingco.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoodingandCompany Twitter: @goodingandco #goodingpebble Instagram: @goodingandcompany #goodingpebble YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/GoodingandCompany Phone: 310.899.1960
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