The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing That Inspired Andy Warhol's 'Cars' Series Is Up for Auction

When Mercedes-Benz commissioned Andy Warhol for a series of Cars paintings and prints that celebrated their 100th anniversary in 1986, Warhol took his initial inspiration from the 1955 300 SL Gullwing, a slender coupe that got its name from its "winged" doors. Now, Sotheby's is auctioning off the exact Gullwing -- confirmed by its registration number, documents and a full inspection from Mercedes-Benz's classics arm -- that Warhol used as inspiration for the series, some of the final pieces he w...