Toto Wolff, the Mercedes‑Formula One team principal, made a statement by arriving at Silverstone in a 1954‑57 Mercedes‑300 SL Gullwing, the hard‑top version of the iconic roadster.
Iconic Machine on the Trackside
The 300 SL drum‑holed Gullwing, equipped with a 3‑litre inline‑six that churns out 215 hp, can sprint from 0‑62 mph in 8.9 seconds and top out at 160 mph. Online valuations place the car between $1.3 million and $3.5 million.
Wolff and his wife, Susie Wolff—F1 Academy managing director—are known for cruising Monte Carlo in a 300 SL Roadster; this week the pair chose its predecessor for the British weekend.
Wolff’s Treasure Trove
The 300 SL joins a stellar roster of vehicles in Wolff’s private garage, which also houses a Mercedes‑AMG ONE, a Ferrari F40, a Ferrari Enzo, LaFerrari and a Mercedes‑Benz SL 65.
Fans on Reddit lauded the car, citing it as “one of the most beautiful cars ever made” and comparing it to an E‑type, a 250 GTO and a DB5.
Height Matters in a Gullwing
Comments surfaced about brand‑new objections: some users noted that Wolff’s height might make the narrow cockpit uncomfortable. One comment quipped that his knees and head are “at absolute maximum” inside the shell, while another skeptically remarked that the car is “too small for him.”
Despite the sideline chatter, observers are clear that the Mercedez‑300 SL’s presence added undeniable glamour to the paddock, punctuating the weekend’s first practice and sprint qualifying sessions with vintage sophistication.
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