If you’re looking to add a restored Gullwing to your car collection, then we’ve got news for you. Gooding & Company is auctioning off a restored 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing this month. Registered bidding on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing will begin next week and will run from Monday, October 26, to Friday, October 30. But what’s the story behind this restored Mercedes, and how much does Gooding & Company expect it to go for?

Who owns this beauty of a Benz?

According to Gooding & Company, this 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing is owned by an “astute collector of German sports cars.” They don’t specify who exactly that might be, but Gooding & Company says the current owner of this beaut began his search for the car in the late 1990s after having wanted a Gullwing since he was a child.

To located his childhood dream car, he enlisted the help of famed 300 SL restoration expert Jerry Hjeltness. After traveling the country and inspecting numerous options, Hjeltness found the perfect Gullwing hidden away in Compton, California. Owned by Joseph Meredith of Burbank, the car had just 54,216 miles recorded. 

Because it had been tucked away in a garage for so long and had hardly been driven by its owner, this particular 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing remained in pristine condition. And with that, Hjeltness had found his customer the Mercedes-Benz that all of his childhood automotive dreams were made of.

Restored by the famed team at Hjeltness Restoration

Hjeltness and his team began restoring this Gullwing in 1997.  According to a restoration summary written by Mr. Hjeltness, “Our restoration shop has just completed a full body-off restoration/remanufacture process on the above referenced automobile to a 100 point show standard. The car has been completely disassembled. Every component was renewed, restored or replaced to new or better condition.”

Just after Hjeltness completed the restoration, the car won ‘Best of Show’ at the Le Cercle Concours in California. The owner of the restored Benz then exhibited it at the 2003 Gullwing Group convention in Jackson Hole. 

What condition is this restored Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing in?

Though this Gullwing owner has shown his car at a small number of auto shows, the car remains in beautiful condition. It’s been well-maintained over the years and was most recently serviced in 2019. According to Gooding & Company, services rendered included a rebuilt injection pump and steering box, work to the fuel, electrical, and ignition systems, and some detailing.

The listing for this restored Mercedes includes its instruction manuals, Becker radio manuals, workshop manual, knock-off hammer, tool kit, auxiliary work light, spare tire, and jack too. 

How much will this restored Gullwing sell for?

According to Gooding & Company, this 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing will fetch between $1,000,000 – $1,300,000. Which is by no means chump change. Though, between its exceptional condition, long-term ownership, and documented restoration by the famed Jerry Hjeltness, it’s no surprise that this Gullwing is expected to go for such a high price.