Jay Leno has once again turned the spotlight on automotive history, this time unveiling one of the rarest Mercedes-Benz models ever built: a 1956 300 SL Alloy Gullwing, one of only 29 ever produced.
In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, the comedian and longtime car enthusiast presented the ultra-exclusive aluminum-bodied sports car, calling it “the first true supercar.” Unlike the standard steel-bodied 300 SL Gullwing, the Alloy version was developed for racing and built almost entirely out of lightweight aluminum to enhance performance.
With its 3.0-liter inline-six engine producing 215 horsepower, the Alloy Gullwing was more than a showpiece—it was a competitive machine. Designed to reduce curb weight and increase agility, the model was intended for customers with serious motorsport ambitions.
“This car is more than just rare—it’s forgotten by its own maker,” Leno noted during the episode. Mercedes-Benz itself reportedly lost track of some of the 29 units built, making each verified example a significant rediscovery.
The featured car was once owned by Los Angeles-based collector Rudi Klein and is now believed to be one of the few remaining in original condition. With an estimated value of around $10 million, the Alloy Gullwing ranks among the most valuable road cars still in private hands—second only to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupe, which sold for a staggering $143 million in 2022.
Leno’s channel, Jay Leno’s Garage, has become a trusted destination for automotive history and preservation. His collection of over 300 vehicles—worth more than $50 million—serves as both museum and storytelling platform, preserving the heritage of cars that even manufacturers have forgotten.
In showcasing the Alloy Gullwing, Leno not only shares a rare machine with the world but also reaffirms his role as one of automotive culture’s most influential voices.