1957 Mercedes Gullwing Sells $2M

The 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing was the last of a 1,400-unit production run for the iconic coupe. Its high price and racing pedigree made it an exclusive vehicle from the start, with an original base price of approximately $7,300. It was succeeded by the 300 SL Roadster. The Gullwing's 3.0-liter straight-six engine featured Bosch mechanical fuel injection, a novelty for the time that helped it produce up to 240 horsepower. This innovation allowed the 300 SL to be the fastest production car of its day, with a top speed of up to 163 mph. Its lightweight tubular frame necessitated the now-famous upward-opening doors. Recent auction results for the 300 SL Gullwing show a strong market, with prices in the last three years ranging from $1,485,000 to $2,400,000, making the $2,012,500 sale a significant but not unprecedented figure. The average sale price for a W198 300 SL Gullwing is around $1.7 million. In contrast to the high-end Gullwing, the 1968 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia offered Italian styling on a reliable Beetle chassis. That model year introduced new safety features like side marker lights and a collapsible steering column. While a stylish coupe, its value is in a different league, with current prices for a 1968 model typically ranging from $7,700 to $11,550. The debate sparked by the 1970 Beetle touches on a core conflict in classic car culture: restoration versus preservation. Proponents of "patina" argue that a car's cosmetic wear, from faded paint to minor rust, tells the story of its life and preserves its originality. A full restoration, while creating a seemingly new car, erases that history. The value of a 1970 Beetle can vary dramatically based on its condition, from a low of around $4,250 to over $42,000 for pristine or exceptionally restored examples.