Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing: The 1954 Supercar That Debuted in New York

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” is one of the most famous sports cars ever built. It debuted at the International Motor Sports Show in New York in February 1954, went into production that year and was built as a coupé until 1957, with a roadster following until 1963. Its upward-opening gullwing doors were a consequence of its lightweight racing chassis, and its engine was one of the first four-stroke gasoline engines with direct fuel injection in a production car. It remains one of the most valuable classic cars in the world.

At a glance

From race car to road car

The 300 SL grew out of the W194 racing car of 1952, which won Le Mans and the grueling Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. Max Hoffman, Mercedes’ importer in New York, convinced the company that wealthy American enthusiasts would buy a road version — and it was launched in Manhattan, his home market. Most 300 SLs were sold in the U.S.

Why the gullwing doors?

The 300 SL used a tubular space frame to save weight. The frame’s side members ran high along the sides of the cabin, leaving no room for conventional doors. Hinging the doors at the roof solved the problem — and created an icon. Getting in and out requires a certain technique, and a tilting steering wheel was fitted to help.

Direct fuel injection

Instead of carburetors, the 300 SL used Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection, spraying fuel directly into the cylinders — technology derived from aircraft engines. It made the 300 SL one of the fastest production cars of its day. Direct injection only became common in mass-market cars in the 2000s.

The name

“SL” stands for Super-Leicht (super light) or Sport-Leicht, a name Mercedes still uses for its roadster.

Legacy

The Gullwing influenced the Mercedes SLS AMG of 2010, which revived gullwing doors, and it helped build Mercedes’ performance image in America. It appears at nearly every major concours. Read about Pebble Beach and the New York Auto Show’s history.