The "Cars" series by pop art pioneer Andy Warhol (1928 to 1987) is world-famous. It depicts Mercedes-Benz vehicles in a striking, colorful rendering that is typical of the North American artist. The first of his motifs at the start of the series in 1986 was the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing" from the W 198 model series.
The artwork depicting the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL and the photographed sports car can be seen in close proximity at the Mercedes-Benz Museum from June 21 to 26, 2022. The screen print comes from the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection, the vehicle is provided by Brabus.
The joint presentation is a premiere; the world-famous work of art and the captured vehicle have never been shown together before. The exhibition in the atrium of the Mercedes-Benz Museum is accessible free of charge.
"Andy Warhol's 'Cars' series is a culmination of the artist's creative output. They are works of timeless beauty," says Bettina Haussmann, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Museum. "Now, for the first time, we are offering anyone interested in art the opportunity to admire his depiction of the 300 SL and the 'model car' provided by Brabus together."
The history of the 300 SL "Gullwing" with the registration number "EI-DR 1"
The 300 SL Coupé was built in 1,400 units from 1954 to 1957. The "Gullwing" is considered one of the most famous Mercedes-Benz vehicles - and was voted "Sports Car of the Century" in 1999.
The vehicle with the registration number "EI-DR 1" was privately owned for 39 years until Brabus GmbH purchased it in 2020 and realized that it was the exact model vehicle for the "Cars" picture series. This "Gullwing" was delivered in 1955 in the color combination silver-grey (DB 180) with blue leather (DB 355) and Rudge wheels. During this time in private hands, a photo of the 300 SL with the license plate "EI-DR 1" was published in a sports car book. According to research, this photo served Andy Warhol as a model for the first motif in his "Cars" series. The artist had never seen the vehicle itself with his own eyes.
"Cars: Picture series for the centenary of the automobile
In 1986, the then Daimler-Benz AG commissioned Andy Warhol to create the "Cars" series of pictures to mark the centenary of the automobile. The aim was to produce eighty pictures of twenty selected vehicles from Mercedes-Benz and its predecessor brands, documenting the history of the automobile from the Daimler motor coach and the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886 to the present day. Warhol was unable to complete the series: By the time of his death, a total of 36 paintings and 13 large-format drawings depicting eight different models were completed in 1986 and 1987. Thirty silkscreen paintings and the drawings from the completed series are still in the possession of the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection today. They are made accessible to employees and the international public both within the company and in museum exhibitions.
"The dialog between art and automotive history will play an increasingly prominent role in the permanent exhibition of the Mercedes-Benz Museum," says Bettina Haussmann. "In addition to the works of art already on display in the museum, we will be making further works from the Mercedes-Benz Art Collection accessible to the public from October. We are very much looking forward to further strengthening this cultural component here in our museum."
The complete restoration of "EI-DR 1"
Recently, around two years after the purchase of this art-historical 300 SL Coupé, its restoration was completed after more than 4,500 hours of work. It goes without saying that the specification corresponds exactly to that at the time of delivery 67 years ago.
First, the gullwing was dismantled down to the last screw and cataloged. The necessary new parts were procured and reusable original components were reconditioned to pristine new condition.
The body and frame were completely stripped of paint and rust. Experienced master plumbers meticulously restored them to their original condition. Complete corrosion protection with the latest paint protection technologies was just as much a part of the work as a perfect paint job in the original color "silver grey 180 metallic".
Alongside the bodywork, the entire drivetrain, brakes and chassis were completely rebuilt.
The two-seater cockpit was reupholstered true to the original and perfectly down to the last corner. For the restoration of the upholstery, only leather in the original color "Blue 355" as well as fabric and carpet in the exact same color "Grey L 1" were used, as was once the case with this specific vehicle.
In the course of the reconstruction, all mechanical wear parts, the seals and the on-board electrics were also completely renewed.
After completion of the restoration, the leading German classic car expert organization Classic Data assessed the 300 SL Gullwing and awarded it a condition rating of 1 with the addition "new car character".
