Currently reading: Merc 300SL Gullwing timeline
Original Mercedes Gullwing in hi-res pics

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS is a modern interpretation of perhaps the most famous car to wear the three pointed star – the 300SL Gullwing.

The two-seater was unveiled in 1954 and launched at that year’s New York motor show.

See the hi-res pics of the history of the Mercedes 300SL

The Gullwing was highly advanced for its time and was the first car to feature fuel injection. This application almost doubled the 113bhp of the carbureted W194 300SL.

Top speed was reportedly 161mph with the right gearing, making the 300SL the fastest production car of the time.

The gullwing version was only available from March 1955 to 1957. Production of a roadster version ran until 1963.

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