1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Beginning in 1954 Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300SL, a two-seat sport coupe with the now famed “Gullwing” doors. Designated the W198 series, the "gullwing" hinged at the roof door design was created to accommodate the car's rigid, light weight tubular chassis borrowed from the company's highly successful racing cars of the early 1950’s.

The 3.0-liter, straight-6 was the same engine used in the large 300 series four-doors, with the carburetors replaced with mechanical fuel injection, producing 220hp at 6100 rpm. A racing cam was available boosting the horsepower to 240hp. The combination of all aluminum hood, doors and trunk lid, light- weight frame and powerful fuel injected engine gave the 300SL’s a top speed of 161 mph, making it the highest performing production car of it’s day.

Of the 1400 Gullwings produced from September 1954 to May of 1957, approximately 1000 units were sold to the US market, making the Gullwing the most popular M-B imported into the US during that period. The 300 SL was produced as a roadster from 1957 to 1963 with a total of 1800 units.

Other unique aspects of the 300 SL include:
 • A tilt-away steering wheel to allow easier entry and exit
 • Luggage designed for the interiors rear deck
 • The first gasoline-powered car equipped with fuel injection
 • 29 were produced with all-aluminum body, shaving 200 pounds off the total weight.