Historic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' to go up for auction

This July 12, during an auction organized in partnership with Mercedes, Bonhams will sell a 300SL 'Gullwing' driven by Stirling Moss ahead of his victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia.

The model being sold by Bonhams has a unique history. After being presented at the 1954 Paris Motor Show, this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL 'Gullwing' was used by Stirling Moss and his co-pilot, the journalist Denis Jenkinson, for course reconnaissance ahead of the 1955 Mille Miglia race in Italy. Moss and Jenkinson went on to win the Mille Miglia aboard a Mercedes 300 SLR on May 1, 1955.

From 1954 to 1957, the coupe was marketed as the world's fastest production model. The 'Gullwing' also stood out as one of the most spectacular cars of its day, with its dramatic doors that open upwards.

The car has been restored to the condition it was in when Moss drove it in 1955. More recently, the model took part in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2011. The starting bid has not been announced, but the model is expected to sell for well over one million euros.

40 cars on auction

During the same auction, which will be held at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, Bonhams will also sell around 40 other iconic vehicles from the German manufacturer's history. Among the models announced is a 35hp Mercedes dating from 1909 and estimated to sell for between €480,000 and €680,000 (around $658,800-931,700).

Bonhams carried off its highest car sale yet on July 12, 2013 during an auction taking place outside of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Mercedes W196 driven by Juan-Manuel Fangio to victory in the F1 World Cup in 1954 sold for no less than £19.6 million (around $33 million).

The Mercedes-Benz Museum, where the auction will be held, houses over 1,500 artefacts including 160 cars in an exhibition space of 16,500 square meters.