1955
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Doors shaped by the structure beneath them
Colours used
in this example.
Silver sets the tone for this page. Use a darker grey beneath the raised doors to suggest their depth.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Use a darker grey beneath the raised doors to suggest their depth.
Build deeper shadows below the window line while leaving the visible seat tops lighter.
Reserve white for metal highlights. Keep rubber softer and less reflective.
Keep the existing setting quieter than the car and let the glass remain translucent.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Reference 01
Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing Genf 2019 1Y7A4987. Comparison photograph: The silver car with blue stripes is a competition-prepared comparison. Its decoration is not a standard 1955 road-car scheme. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Alexander Migl · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference 02
Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing Genf 2019 1Y7A5009. Comparison photograph: The silver car with blue stripes is a competition-prepared comparison. Its decoration is not a standard 1955 road-car scheme. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Alexander Migl · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference 03
Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing Genf 2019 1Y7A5007. Comparison photograph: The silver car with blue stripes is a competition-prepared comparison. Its decoration is not a standard 1955 road-car scheme. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Alexander Migl · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference 04
Mercedes-Benz W198 300 SL Gullwing 1X7A0196. Comparison photograph: The silver car with blue stripes is a competition-prepared comparison. Its decoration is not a standard 1955 road-car scheme. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Alexander Migl · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference 05
Rétromobile 2011 - Mercedes 300 SL - 002. Comparison photograph: The silver car with blue stripes is a competition-prepared comparison. Its decoration is not a standard 1955 road-car scheme. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Thesupermat · Source · CC BY-SA 3.0Historical finishes and details
A complete factory colour and trim chart for this selected year and variant has not been verified. The linked model history provides context. Use the gallery for visible materials and shapes, then choose a personal palette. Do not infer original paint codes or optional badges from restored cars.
In the photographs
The photographs show burgundy, red and silver. The silver car with blue stripes is a competition-prepared comparison. Its decoration is not a standard 1955 road-car scheme. Restored paint and later changes are possible.
In the coloured example
The pencil example uses silver bodywork with red cabin tones. It is a creative colouring guide, not a factory paint match or a recreation of one gallery car.
Make the details count.
Use a darker grey beneath the raised doors to suggest their depth.
Keep the red seats visible inside the shadowed cabin.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.