Discover the World’s Most Rare and Coveted Vintage Cars
6. Mercedes SL 300 Gullwing
One of the pioneering sports cars of the post-war era, the Mercedes SL 300 Gullwing stunned enthusiasts with its remarkable speed upon its debut in 1954. As the first production car to feature direct fuel injection, the SL 300 boasted an astonishing top speed of 160 miles per hour, making it the fastest car of its time. Constantin von Kageneck, a specialist in classic car marketing at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA, remarks, “Nobody expected something like that from Mercedes.” While a significant number of the original SL 300s still exist today, many remain in the hands of their original owners. To catch a glimpse of this iconic vehicle, one can visit the Classic Center or automotive museums like the Petersen in Los Angeles.
Here’s the information presented in a table format:
Overview
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Production | Coupe: 1954–1957 |
| Roadster: 1957–1963 | |
| 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé: 1955 | |
| Total Built: 3,258 | |
| Coupe: 1,400 | |
| Roadster: 1,858 | |
| 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé: 2 | |
| Assembly | West Germany: Stuttgart-Untertürkheim |
| Designer | Friedrich Geiger |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car, Grand tourer |
| Body style | 2-door coupe, roadster |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Platform | Coupe W198 I, Roadster W198 II |
| Doors | Gull-wing (Coupe) |
| Conventional (Roadster) | |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz W121 BII (190 SL) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2,996 cc (182.8 cu in) M198 straight-six engine |
| Transmission | 4-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 4,520 mm (178.0 in) |
| Width | 1,790 mm (70.5 in) |
| Height | 1,300 mm (51.2 in) |
| Curb weight | Coupe: 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds) |
| Roadster: 1,560 kilograms (3,440 pounds), from 1961 1,660 kilograms (3,660 pounds) | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W194 (racing car) |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz W113 (230SL), Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG |
7. Ferrari 250 GTO
Ferrari produced a mere 39 of these exquisite race cars between 1962 and 1964, rendering them exceptionally rare. According to Hagerty, “The 250 GTO is arguably the pinnacle in terms of value and prestige, yet the reality is that only a select few individuals worldwide will ever have the opportunity to truly drive one.” A vintage model fetched an astounding $38 million at Bonhams’ Quail Lodge auction during the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance two years ago. For those with budget constraints, any 1960s Ferrari featuring a V12 engine is deemed worthy of consideration for enthusiasts’ lists.
Here’s the provided information presented in a table format:
Overview
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
| Production | 1962–1964 |
| (36 produced) | |
| Designer | Giotto Bizzarrini, Sergio Scaglietti |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car |
| Body style | 2-door berlinetta |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | 330 LMB, 250 LM |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | – 2,953 cc Tipo 168 Comp/62 60º V12 |
| – SOHC 2 valves per cylinder valvetrain configuration | |
| – 6 Weber 38 DCN carburetors | |
| – Compression ratio 9.7:1 | |
| Power output | – 300 PS (296 hp; 221 kW) @ 7500 rpm |
| – 294 N⋅m; 217 lbf⋅ft (30 kg⋅m) @ 5500 rpm | |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,400 mm (94.5 in) |
| Length | 4,325 mm (170.3 in) |
| Width | 1,600 mm (63.0 in) |
| Height | 1,210 mm (47.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 880–950 kg (1,940–2,094 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ferrari 250 GT SWB |
| Successor | Ferrari 250 LM, Ferrari 288 GTO |