Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198
A racing-derived grand tourer whose roof-hinged doors made automotive history.
- Power
- 215 bhp
- 0–60 mph
- 7.7 s
- Est. value
- $1.1m–$3.3m
About the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198
The 300 SL coupé translated Mercedes-Benz’s racing expertise into a landmark 1950s road car. Its tall tubular spaceframe sills necessitated roof-hinged gullwing doors, while mechanical fuel injection helped its straight-six deliver exceptional performance for the era. The long-legged car rewards a committed driver but offers less easy entry and ventilation than a conventional tourer. The later W198 Roadster is a different body style and is not covered by these coupé figures.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 specs
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 produces 215 bhp (160 kW). It reaches 60 mph in 7.7 seconds.
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
|---|---|
| Model | 300 SL |
| Generation | W198 |
| Trim | Gullwing coupé |
| Years | 1954–1963 |
| Type | Classic |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | About 1,400 built |
| Original price | About $7,500 when new |
| Engine | 3.0L naturally aspirated fuel-injected inline-6 |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,996 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Power | 215 bhp (160 kW) |
| 0–60 mph | 7.7 s |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1,295 kg (2,855 lb) |
| Power-to-weight | 166 bhp per tonne |
Typical figures for the standard car; options, markets and model years vary. Where our specs come from
How much is a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 worth?
A typical Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 is estimated to be worth $1,110,000 – $3,300,000 (about £824,000 – £2,460,000).
Its original price when new was about $7,500.
Values are directional estimates for a typical example, not appraisals. Condition, mileage, history and specification all change what a real car is worth. Pound figures use the exchange rate of 3 November 2026. How values are estimated
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 rarity in CarSpot
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 is a Unicorn card in CarSpot, with a rarity score of 100 out of 100. The rarest tier: hypercars, one-offs and cars built in tiny numbers, typically fewer than about 500. A Unicorn card is worth 320 XP.
Each model's tier starts from a 0–100 score based on its value plus its power or production numbers. Once enough players have spotted a model, how often it is spotted can move it up or down one tier. How CarSpot rarity works
Rarity is a collectible game mechanic, not an assessment of real-world scarcity or value.
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL W198 fun facts
- Mercedes-Benz built 1,400 Gullwing coupés before switching to the roadster in 1957.
- The Gullwing made its debut at the 1954 New York motor show.
