Jay Leno Unveils Ultra-Rare 1956 Mercedes Alloy Gullwing Forgotten Even by Mercedes

Yahoo

2 days ago

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In his latest video, automotive icon and comedian Jay Leno unveiled one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever produced—a 1956 Mercedes-Benz Alloy Gullwing, so exclusive that even Mercedes-Benz doesn't know where all of them are today.
Leno's discovery highlights a version of the classic 300 SL Gullwing that is rarely seen outside of elite collections. Only 29 examples of the alloy-bodied variant were produced, and this one—once owned by noted collector Rudi Klein in Los Angeles—is among the few known to remain intact.
Unlike its more commonly seen steel-bodied sibling, the Alloy Gullwing was a lightweight, high-performance version built entirely out of aluminum. Its 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 215 horsepower, was designed for competitive driving and reduced weight. While the standard Gullwing is already a legend, the Alloy version emphasizes performance over refinement, making it highly prized among purists.
Despite its value—estimated at $10 million—this Alloy Gullwing is not the most expensive Mercedes ever sold. That distinction belongs to the record-breaking 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which fetched over $140 million in 2022. Still, the Alloy Gullwing remains one of the most valuable privately owned road cars in the world.
'This is the first true supercar,' Leno declared in the episode, challenging the often-cited claim that the Lamborghini Miura holds that title. He emphasized the Alloy Gullwing's blend of performance, rarity, and motorsport heritage, qualities that make it unlike anything else from its era.
Now retired from late-night television, Leno continues to spotlight automotive rarities through his YouTube channel, Jay Leno's Garage, where he shares cars from his 300+ vehicle collection, valued north of $50 million.
With each new video, Leno not only entertains but also helps preserve the legacies of cars even their manufacturers forgot existed.