Mercedes 300 SL « Gullwing »

gullwing coupé (designation: W198 I) then roadster

215 ch · 8.8 s (0-100) · 260 km/h · 1954

Identification

Body / seats

2-seat gullwing coupé; then roadster; tubular space frame + steel/aluminium bodywork (29 all-aluminium coupés)

Design / styling centre

Friedrich Geiger; chassis by Rudolf Uhlenhaut

Assembly

Sindelfingen / Stuttgart-Untertürkheim (West Germany)

Production

coupé 1 400 (1954–1957) · roadster 1 858 (1957–1963) · total 3 258 · launched at the New York Motor Show (February 1954), at the insistence of importer Max Hoffman

⚠️ Identification note. The 300 SL (W198) exists as a Gullwing coupé (W198 I, 1954–1957, gullwing doors) and a roadster (W198 II, 1957–1963, conventional doors). Derived from the racing car (W194), it was the first production car to feature direct petrol injection. Not to be confused with the 190 SL (4 cylinders, less powerful) nor with the 300 SLR (racing car with 8 cylinders). See section 10.

Powertrain

Engine

M198, 6-cylinder inline 3,0 L (2 996 cc), inclined ~50°, Bosch mechanical direct injection (production world first)

Bore × stroke

85 × 88 mm

Power

215 hp (~158 kW) @ 5 800 rpm (high-compression option: 240 hp)

Torque

≈ 275 Nm @ 4 600 rpm

Redline

≈ 6 000 rpm

Compression ratio

≈ 8,55:1 (9,5:1 optional)

Fuel system

mechanical direct injection (Bosch) — unprecedented on a production car

Valve train

SOHC, 2 valves/cylinder

Forced induction

naturally aspirated

Lubrication

dry sump

Layout

front longitudinal (inclined)

Engine distinctions

direct transposition of racing technology to the road

Transmission

Gearbox

4-speed manual (synchronised)

Layout

front engine, rear-wheel drive

Differential

hypoid rear axle (swing axle)

Driven wheels

rear-wheel drive

Associated systems

n/a (period)

Performance

0–100 km/h

≈ 7,4–8,8 s depending on axle ratio (0–60 mph ≈ 7,4 s, Road & Track test 1955)

0–200 km/h

n/a (n.c.)

Top speed

≈ 225–260 km/h depending on axle ratio (the fastest production car of its era)

Reference circuit

not applicable (derived from competition car W194)

Chassis & running gear

Chassis / materials

steel tubular space frame (≈ 70 kg) — large lateral sill tubes necessitating gullwing doors

Rigidity

high for the period

Front/rear suspension

unequal-length wishbones F / swing axle R (double on later roadster); coil springs

Steering

worm and sector (unassisted)

Brakes

drums (Alfin-assisted); discs on roadster from 1961

Tyres F/R

≈ 6,70 × 15

Wheels F/R

15″ (Rudge centre-lock wheels optional)

Aerodynamics

Cd

low for the period (streamlined bodywork) — no precise figure available

Downforce

n/a (vented roof fin for cabin ventilation)

Devices

streamlined bodywork derived from racing

Methodology

W194 heritage

Dimensions, weight & capacities

L × W × H

4 520 × 1 790 × 1 300 mm

Wheelbase

2 400 mm · Front/rear track: n/a

Ground clearance

n/a · Overhangs: n/a

Kerb weight

≈ 1 295 kg (coupé) / ≈ 1 330 kg (roadster) · Dry weight not quoted separately

Weight distribution

n/a (n.c.)

Centre of gravity

low (inclined engine, dry sump)

Fuel tank

≈ 100 L (large racing option tank) · Boot: limited (spare wheel)

Electronics & dynamics

Dynamic controls

none (period)

Drive modes

not applicable

ECU / software architecture

not applicable

Fuel consumption & emissions

Fuel consumption

high (no precise figure available)

CO₂

not applicable (period)

Standard

not applicable (1950s)

Lineage & positioning

Replaces

W194 (1952 racing car, from which it is derived)

Replaced by

W113 (230 SL 'Pagoda'); modern homage = SLS AMG

Contemporary rivals

Ferrari 250, Jaguar XK140/XKSS, Aston Martin DB2

Not to be confused with: Gullwing Coupé (W198 I, 1954–1957, gullwing doors, 1 400 units) vs Roadster (W198 II, 1957–1963, conventional doors, 1 858 units) 29 all-aluminium coupés (extremely rare / highly valued) 190 SL (W121) — 4 cylinders, less powerful / less expensive (frequently confused) 300 SLR (W196 S) — racing car with 8 cylinders (Uhlenhaut Coupé)

Collectability & valuation

Rarity

3 258 units in total; Gullwing coupé (1 400) and especially aluminium coupés (29) extremely sought after; 'Sports Car of the Century' (1999)

Desirability

absolute icon, first production direct injection, gullwing doors, provenance/matching numbers and options (Rudge wheels, matching luggage) all critical; values very high (aluminium > 1 M$)

Points to watch

swing rear axle (tendency to oversteer at the limit), specialist maintenance required (mechanical injection), authenticity/numbers matching, corrosion; expert inspection essential

Valuation

on request (price bracket + comparables + sources + date; significant premium for aluminium coupé / provenance)

Mercedes 300 SL « Gullwing »

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