Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
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This vehicle was the height of oddly cool. When you first look at it, it looks off balance. The gigantic front end of the vehicle combined with the tiny trunk seem somehow distressing to look at. Germans may not be cool, but they sure know how to make some cool cars sometimes!
So what is it that makes the 300 SL so cool? It’s the attempt to fly. Mercedes took the concept of doors that moved traditionally and said, “not today”. Gullwing-style doors were installed and instantly the car was more desirable. After all, doors can always use improving! Heavy doors that rise up into the air and need considerable arm strength to bring down are practical! But it’s so attractive.
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In addition to the gull wings, there was only 3258 that were ever built. This makes them incredibly rare as well. Finally, the vehicle was full of firsts. It had the first direct injection engine. It wasn’t perfect. It was still the first!
What makes it so oddly cool now is hard it is to collect. The 300 SL is not a 6 figure car. It’s a 7 figure car now! 300 SL’s at auction regularly go for over a million dollars. Special editions have gone for over 4 million dollars! This collectibility has turned searching for 300 SLs into a special scavenger hunt. It’s truly the holy grail of hidden garage finds.
