Car with Wings Helps Newport Car Museum Celebrate Eighth Anniversary

To celebrate our eighth anniversary, we’ve unveiled a truly special addition to the Newport Car Museum’s world-class collection: a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, restored by Legendary Motorcar Company (LMC) and custom finished in a dazzling made-to-order cyan blue with a bold red leather interior. This striking color combination turns an already legendary car into an unforgettable visual and historical centerpiece. Known for its iconic upward-opening doors, groundbreaking fuel-injected straight-six engine, and lightweight tubular frame, the 300 SL Gullwing is often hailed as one of the most beautiful and innovative cars ever built, and this particular example is unlike any other on the planet.

“When I was a kid, I used wax paper and a pencil to draw the Gullwing from ads that appeared in National Geographic, said Newport Car Museum Founder Gunther Buerman, “so I’ve always loved it and have been looking for one for the Museum. I don’t normally restore cars, but when Legendary Motor Cars approached us and said they had a moss green version that needed a home and some restoration, I couldn’t resist. They couldn’t find the color I had in my mind – one I saw on a Gullwing in a photo taken next to the harbor in Monaco – but one day I saw the exact match on my grandchild’s candy wrapper, so I sent it to them to match.”

The result is a bold color combination and sleek, aerodynamic lines that invite onlookers into a world of luxury and innovation that defined mid-century automotive design.

Whether you’re drawn to its technical brilliance, the pop of color in its bespoke finish, or simply the chance to see one of the world’s most desirable cars up close, this Gullwing promises to be a highlight of any visit to the Newport Car Museum.