£898.3k
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé
Bonhams • UK • 6 Dec 2015
Market Position:
Mid-Market
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£898,333
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé
UK • 6 Dec 2015
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé, body number 198.040-55 00787, is a UK-delivered car with current ownership of approximately 45 years. Highly original, it has fewer than 50,000 miles and was owned by Dennis Ziani de Ferranti of the Ferranti engineering family.
Condition
9
The car is described as 'outstandingly original' and 'unmolested,' with only 44,000 miles from new. It has been featured in publications and displayed by Mercedes-Benz, indicating its high quality and originality. The only noted issue is a replica luggage set, as the original was lost.
/ 10
44,000 miles
198.040-55 00787
LHD
United Kingdom
Manual
RYN 9
1955
Auction
£898.3k
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupé
Bonhams • UK • 6 Dec 2015
Market Position:
Mid-Market
Track live values and receive listing alerts
Description
Body no.
198.040-55 00787 *Iconic model *Delivered new to the UK *Current ownership for circa 45 years *Outstandingly original 'When it was first announced by Mercedes-Benz, the production 300 SL Coupé was a startling car built to the German concern's customarily startling standards, but above all what left the general public most open-mouthed about the new car was its upward-opening Gullwing doors...!' - Motors , 1963.
Mercedes-Benz returned to post-war competition in 1952, fielding two of its new 300 SL (W194) sports cars in the Mille Miglia.
The pair finishing a creditable 2nd and 4th overall in this most difficult of events and this promising start was followed up by a win in the challenging Carrera Panamericana.
The works first raced the 300 SL ( Sport Leicht ) in open form, but for the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in June a trio of 'Gullwing'-doored coupés was entered.
High sills were a feature of the multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, and while access was not a problem of the open c...
Price Analysis vs Other (W198) 300 SL Gullwings
£906,717
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£1,261,516
Median Price (Since 2020)
£3,843,602
Highest Price (Since 2020)
World Record
If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will set a new world record for the [enter model]
Mid-Market
Compared to previous sales, the sale price placed this vehicle in the mid-market for the (W198) 300 SL Gullwing.
Lowest Price
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Average Price
Compared to historical records, the sale price placed this vehicle squarely in the mid-market for the (W198) 300 SL Gullwing.
Rare Sale
This vehicle comes to market rarely. In auction records we've only seen [enter number] sold before
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Previous (W198) 300 SL Gullwing Sales
MOT Information
Expired
Expired on 17th Sept 2026
Latest MOT mileage:
45,009 miles
MOT History
Passed
On 18th Sept 2025, 45,009 miles
Passed
On 16th Jun 2011, 42,952 miles
Failed
On 9th Jun 2011, 42,944 miles
There were 5 defects noted.
Fail:
- Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)
- Rear Stop lamp adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.2.1f)
- Rear Rear position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp (1.1.A.3f)
- Front Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)
- Front front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)
Passed
On 9th Jul 2007, 42,596 miles
MOT Mileage Trend
Gallery
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Auction House Headquarters
Bonhams
101 New Bond Street, London, Greater London, W1S 1SR, England
Operating from London, Bonhams is a physical auction house handling classic, historic competition, and collector cars. They conduct live auctions globally, offering vehicle consignment, appraisal, and valuation services.
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