The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing That Inspired Andy Warhol's 'Cars' Series Is Up for Auction

When Mercedes-Benz commissioned Andy Warhol for a series of Cars paintings and prints that celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1986, Warhol took his initial inspiration from the 1955 300 SL Gullwing, a slender coupe that got its name from its “winged” doors. Now, Sotheby’s is auctioning off the exact Gullwing — confirmed by its registration number, documents and a full inspection from Mercedes-Benz’s classics arm — that Warhol used as inspiration for the series, some of the final pieces he worked on before his death in 1987.

One of only 1,400 Gullwings ever made, this model was painstakingly restored to its original specifications by Brabus, an effort that took 4,500 hours of labor. It boasts signature silver-grey paint on its exterior, combined with a blue leather interior and ivory detailing on the wheel and gear shift. Originally sold in France, it then made its way to Germany in May 1981, and its second owner sold it to Brabus in 2020. Its rarity and condition alone make it a desirable item for deep-pocketed automotive collectors, but its proximity to Warhol and his final works enable it to serve as a piece of “art history” as well, and Sotheby’s expects it to realize an auction price between $1.5 and $3 million USD.

Warhol famously quipped that he “[wanted] to be a machine” in 1981, and now it’ll be a machine representing a part of his legacy when the auction closes on November 17. Hit the Sotheby’s website for more information.

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