Mercedes-Benz 300SL History
Catalog record
This is a brief catalog introduction with limited source documentation. A licensed, identity-checked lead photograph has not yet been added for this page. Detailed year, configuration and ownership coverage must be identified separately; this page is not a complete vehicle catalog.
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Model history available. Detailed year guides are not published for this model.
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The 300SL (W198) began as the 1954–1957 Gullwing coupe, whose tubular space frame forced its signature upward-opening doors. It was the fastest production car of its day and one of the first with mechanical fuel injection.
A roadster followed for 1957–1963. Roughly 1,400 Gullwings and 1,858 roadsters were built (about 3,258 total), and the car is today one of the most valuable and revered Mercedes-Benz models.
Body styles
- Coupe (gullwing)
- Roadster
Notable special editions & performance variants
300SL Gullwing (coupe)
The iconic gull-winged coupe; about 1,400 built. Fuel-injected straight-six.
300SL Roadster
The open version with conventional doors; about 1,858 built.
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