Mercedes Benz 300 SL Alloy Gullwing Auction Information

A rare 1956 Mercedes Benz 300 SL “AlloyGullwing, offered as part of RM Sotheby’s The junkyard: The Rudi Klein collection auction, just sold for a whopping $9,355,000 USD. One of only 29 alloy Gullwings ever produced and the only example reportedly finished in black with a red leather interior, this car has an important history tied to legendary Ferrari importer and Le Mans champion Luigi Chinetti.

It is thought that Chinetti, who reportedly ordered the car in 1956 through Milan’s Saporiti dealer, may have intended to compare it to his stable of Ferraris. The car eventually found a new owner when it was purchased in 1976 by Rudi Klein, who kept it virtually hidden for almost 50 years. Notably, Klein never drove or displayed the car outside his private yard, retaining the original interior, bodywork, engine, gearbox and other major components.

The Alloy Gullwing, with its lightweight aluminum body and a more powerful NSL engine, was initially designed as a racing variant of the celebrated 300 SL, with sports suspension, Rudge knock-off wheels and a Plexiglas rear window. Due to high costs and competition from established racing manufacturers, the model was only produced for a year and became a highly sought-after rarity.

With just over 26,000 miles on the odometer, this car’s authenticity is evident from its preserved original parts and carefully documented history. RM Sotheby’s described it as “spectacularly authentic” and one of the most unique examples of the model.