Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
A Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is always something special. From a prominent previous owner and in a special color anyway. Both points apply to a vehicle that is currently being offered by Mecum Auctions as part of their annual event in Kissimmee. This Gullwing left production in Sindelfingen on August 11, 1956. Subsequently, a Mercedes dealer in Düsseldorf delivered the sports car to the Prince of Salm-Salm, who demonstrated good taste with his order. While the majority of the 300 SL production rolled onto the streets in silver metallic, this car was painted in ‘Graphite Grey’ (DB 190). To match, he chose blue plaid interior. If the name Salm-Salm means something to you, you are either generally interested in noble houses or French history, or you live in the area around Borken in Münsterland, Germany. But how are France and Westphalia connected?
The noble house Salm-Salm
Briefly described, the high noble family Obersalm was originally at home in the Vosges (Eastern France). Due to succession, their seat shifted temporarily to various castles in Rhineland-Palatinate, later also to Hoogstraten near Antwerp. From 1751 the Principality of Salm-Salm (Principauté Salm-Salm) existed, which became an exclave of the Holy Roman Empire in France when Lorraine was handed over to France in 1766. As a result of the French Revolution, this part also became a French region in 1791, while the Princely House of Salm-Salm moved to Westphalia to Anholt Castle in Isselburg. Together with the prince-bishop’s offices of Ahaus and Bocholt, they founded the Principality of Salm as a state in 1802 on the approximate area of the present-day district of Borken. This state existed until 1811, when it was annexed to France by Napoleon. At the Congress of Vienna in 1814, the noble house Salm didn’t get its principality back. Instead, the area was awarded to Prussia as part of the province of Westphalia. Nevertheless, some of the decendants still live at Anholt Castle today.
Exactly which prince of the house of Salm-Salm it was who ordered this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is no longer known. What is clear, however, is that he sold the sports car in 1961 to the neurosurgeon Dr. J. Theodore Luros from Indianapolis. He and his wife were active members of a Gullwing Group in the United States. On a club event, the two saw another club member’s car in the special color ‘Strawberry Red metallic’ (DB 543). They decided to repaint their own 300 SL in this color and also had leather upholstery in tan installed. Dr. Luros kept the Gullwing until 2005, when Adrian S. Byles from Canada became the third owner. He had previously owned several 300 SLs. This car then got cosmetically and technically refurbished by Rudi Koniczek’s expert team in British Columbia.
Return to the original color
It wasn’t until the current, fourth owner that this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was returned to its original color scheme of ‘Graphite Grey’. However, he retained the tan leather interior and the incorrect steering wheel, which was retrofitted at some point over the years. To this day the original matching numbers engine, factory-provided luggage kit, original VDO instruments, Becker radio and tool kit remain on board. Mecum Auctions expects the hammer price to be in the range of US$ 1,300,000 to US$ 1,500,000.
Images: Mecum Auctions
