1954 Mercedes 300SL Shows Up on Ebay in US for $850,000

A very rare, 1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SLMercedes-Benz 300 SL Gull...Germany, 1954 > 195731 photos
l gullwing coupe has popped up on Ebay in the US in Columbus, OH, for $850,000. The seller claims that it is one of the first 50 SLs built by hand by Mercedes. The cars were set off by having an NSL code engine that was standard on the alloy-bodied cars and boosted power to 240hp, 29hp more than stock. It was optional on the regular, steel-bodied SLs. 

The car is not perfect though. There is no provenance for the car before 1962, and it had an engine rebuilt sometime in the early 60s. Since that time, it has only been driven 7,000 miles. It has also been in storage for the past 20 years. The seller is not claiming that it is a pre-production SL, just that it bears many of the hallmarks inclduing the engine and chrome exhaust. It also has the convex grill, gooseneck gearshift and lower gear ratios that indicate one of the first 50 SLs. The cars were sold directly to buyers and were never in the hands of a dealership. 

It appears that the seller has done enough research to know that this SL was sold in 1955, and it was the first white SL made with black leather. It was painted red in 1962 and then black in the 80s. To know that the car was originally white with black leather indicates that the seller has done some research about the car. Then he or she should know who it was sold to in the US, but the seller does not mention that person. 

Also the photos show Florida license plates, despite the car being for sale in Columbus, Ohio. However, the seller admits that the car has not been driven for 20 years. It could have been transported to Ohio in that time and not registered. 

Read all about the car an see the auction here. 

Source: Barnfinds