The icon on auction

The Andy Warhol 300 SL heads to auction

02.11.2022 - In collaboration with RM Sotheby’s, the BRABUS Classic 6-Star restored 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, depicted as the first motif in Andy Warhol’s iconic Cars series, will be auctioned through Sotheby’s Sealed in New York City from November 10th to 17th – offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase a physical asset linked to the legendary artist.

Interested parties can register to bid here.  

Sotheby’s Sealed has become an incredibly successful online platform, bringing some of the world’s most historically significant cars to an exclusive global audience. The proprietary auction system was used to sell such classics as Juan Fangio’s personal Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, the fabled white Ferrari Enzo, the McLaren F1 chassis no. 059 and now, the BRABUS Classic “Warhol 300 SL”. The car will be on display at the Sotheby’s auction house in New York City, New York (1334 York Ave.) as part of their flagship November contemporary art sales.

Andy Warhol’s final series, Cars, was commissioned by Daimler-Benz in 1986 – infused with Warhol’s signature style, striking color schemes and unmistakable passion. In the book: "Frank Oleski. Series Sports Cars from 1945-1980", the late Pop-Art icon found his first motif. Pictured in large format on pages 94 and 95 in front of a vast landscape, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing with the chassis number 198.040-5500629 and license plate "EI - DR 1".

Through extensive research conducted by BRABUS and Mercedes-Benz Classic, the 300 SL was confirmed to be the exact chassis which inspired the now world-renowned series of original artworks, dedicated to the history of the automobile. The research included a complete vehicle history along with an assessment of the vehicle’s authenticity. Finally, in a process spanning over two years and over 4,500 hours of passionate manual work, the “Warhol 300 SL” was masterfully brought back to its original quality through the BRABUS Classic 6-Star Restoration.

With perfection in mind, the car was dismantled and catalogued down to every nut and bolt. After the restoration was completed, Classic Data, the leading German classic car expert organization, appraised this famed Gullwing and valued it with a grade of “A: With new car character”. Characterized by a stunning combination of silver-gray paint, a blue leather interior as well as the coveted Rudge wheels, this 300 SL is ready to continue telling its one-of-a-kind story after nearly 70 years.