1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Achieves Record $5.2 Million at Paris Auction
An unrestored 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing sold for a record $5.2 million at Artcurial's Paris auction, highlighting its exceptional originality and provenance.
An unrestored 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing achieved a record-breaking sale price of €4,407,800 (approximately $5.2 million) at Artcurial's Paris auction on January 27, 2026. This sale sets a new benchmark for non-alloy-bodied 300SL models, surpassing the previous record of $3.41 million set in 2024.
The vehicle, chassis number 1980406500019, is notable for its exceptional originality. It retains its factory Graphitgrau (Graphite Gray) paint and has been driven only 34,255 kilometers (21,285 miles) since new. The car was delivered new to Parisian industrialist and two-time Olympian Claude Foussier, who specified it with the NSL engine—an upgrade providing 20 additional horsepower—along with an upgraded suspension and rare Rudge knockoff wheels.
After five years, Foussier sold the car to former racing driver Roger Loyet, who owned it briefly before selling it to industrialist Jean Piger in 1961. Piger maintained ownership for over five decades, during which the car was carefully preserved. In 2014, after 11 years of inactivity, the Gullwing was started with minimal maintenance, including new spark plugs, a battery, and fresh fuel.
The car's remarkable state of preservation, combined with its well-documented provenance and rare specifications, contributed to its record-setting auction result. This sale underscores the enduring appeal and value of original, unrestored classic automobiles in the collector market.
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