Few cars carry the mystique of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, and fewer still come to market with a story as extraordinary as this 1956 example. Not only is it among the most original surviving Gullwings, but it’s also one of the rarest configurations ever built.

Finished in Graphitgrau, one of just 106 cars delivered in this shade, chassis 198040-6500019 was ordered new with every major performance option Mercedes-Benz offered at the time. These include the highly sought-after 3.0-litre inline-six with NSL specifications producing 240 hp, uprated sports springs and dampers, Rudge centre-lock wheels, a shorter rear axle ratio, and even the original fitted luggage. It is believed that only 60 Gullwings left Stuttgart with this exact combination of equipment.

Its provenance adds further intrigue. First delivered in Paris to industrialist and Olympic clay-pigeon shooter Claude Foussier, the car remained in France until 1961, when it passed to its second owner, who kept it for an astonishing 53 years. Later, it was literally entombed in a protective storage bubble in Germany, surviving untouched and still wearing its original interior, factory number plates, and even a layer of dust that became part of its legend.

A specialist inspection in 2025 confirmed the almost impossible: its paint, panel stamps, hidden numbers, and mechanical components remain 100% original, making it perhaps the best-preserved unrestored Gullwing in existence. With just 34,255 km recorded, it represents an unparalleled opportunity for collectors who prize authenticity above all else.

Artcurial will offer this remarkable 300 SL with no reserve at its Paris sale on 27 January, carrying an estimate of €2–5 million. The lot is certain to draw global attention from Mercedes enthusiasts and preservation-class collectors alike.