1955 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL GULLWING

The 300SL, whose name referred to its 3 Liter displacement and 'Super Light' designation, first appeared in the 1952 Mille Miglia competition in May, won the sports race at the Swiss Grand Prix later in the month and went on to take first and second places at LeMans. In November 1952 the 300SLs were similarly successful across the Atlantic in the Mexico City Road Race. There was also a roadster version of the design that scored an impressive 1-2-3 victory at the Nürburgring. In 1955, Guatemalan Mercedes-Benz dealer, collector and veteran sports car racer Manfredo Lippmann imported three new 300SL 'gullwing' coupes to Guatemala for the Central American market. Of the 300 gullwings built for export outside the United States, they were the only three sold to Guatemala. The first car delivered to Lippmann by Mercedes-Benz was this Silver Grey coupe, serial number 5500606. Its first owner was Mr. Guillermo Suhr, a wealthy young local entrepreneur. In 1957 it was sold to Alan Plihal who, after six years, sold it to Mr. Alfredo Peralta, whose father Enrique Peralta Azurdia was President of Guatemala from 1963 to 1966. In 1973 the car was purchased by Mr. William Wilmeth, an American resident in Guatemala, who sent the engine to a specialist Mercedes dealer in the United States for restoration. Mr. Wilmeth subsequently fell ill and the restoration was left unfinished. Wilmeth later returned to his home in the U.S. and placed the car in dry storage. It remained there for more than 20 years until December 2004, when it was purchased by Guatemalan automotive collector Mario Sueiras. Mr. Sueiras then invested more than 2,000 hours of work in a nut and bolt restoration that was completed in November 2006. Still powered by the original matching numbers engine and driveline, this extraordinarily rare Gullwing coupe is finished in Silver Grey Metallic Glasurit® paint and features a blue plaid interior with fitted matching luggage by renowned interior specialists. Significantly, the original belly pans remain intact on the car, which was equipped during the restoration with chromed reproduction Rudge knock-off wheels. It also retains the original owner's manual and tools.This 300SL coupe is registered with the Gullwing Group. Driven fewer than 200 miles since the restoration, it otherwise remained in Mr. Sueiras' climate-controlled personal garage until it was sold. - Glasurit Silver Grey Metallic made by BASF - Blue plaid interior - Fitted matching luggage - Original manual, books and tools - Aftermarket Rudge wheels - Belly pans

One of only three ever sold to Guatemala, this extraordinarily rare 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL gullwing is still powered by the original matching numbers engine and driveline.