The Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing from Warhol’s Cars artwork gets listed for sale

November is gearing up to be an exciting month for classic car collectors. Car enthusiasts would be keen-eyed for the Bavarian Legends Collection, comprising the most desirable BMWs. On the other hand, the Gran Turismo Collection sale will interest high-end collectors with the best of Ferraris and Bugattis. For collectors pursuing something more exclusive than Bugattis, a special 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing will also be going under the hammer.

While all Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing sports cars are special and highly sought-after models, the unit on sale is unique. It is believed to be the same car that inspired the first painting of Andy Warhol’s Cars Series, courtesy of which auction house RM Sotheby’s estimates it to fetch between US$1.5 million and US$3 million. This Warhol Gullwing will be offered through Sotheby’s Sealed from 10–17 November.

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Two private collectors initially owned this 300 SL Gullwing for decades before Mercedes-specialist tuning company Brabus acquired it in 2020. The German tuning company carried out its 6-Star Restoration program bringing the iconic sports car back to its former glory featuring the original specification. BRABUS further submitted the car to Mercedes-Benz Classic for a full inspection, which resulted in the issue of a ‘Hersteller-Expertise’, meticulously documenting the vehicle’s major mechanical components and confirming their authenticity against factory records.

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The 300 SL on sale was originally finished in Silver Grey paintwork over a blue leather interior, the quintessential colour combination for such cars. It was optioned with Rudge wheels, sporting ‘knock-off’ wheel nuts rather than the standard, round hubcaps. You can view the listing here. 

In the 80s, Andy Warhol picked this very car as inspiration to commence working on the acclaimed Cars art series. This Mercedes-Benz-commissioned 80-piece art series would’ve celebrated the brand’s 100th anniversary, but Warhol’s untimely demise meant he could only finish 49 works, including 36 on canvas and 13 drawings. Most of his artwork can be currently viewed at Los Angeles’ Petersen Automotive Museum, which borrowed the pieces from the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection on loan.