This is it, the very last Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing ever built. And, thanks to TopGear.com’s hard-nosed research, it might also be the only car to share its name with an episode of Friends. Auction house RM Sotheby’s has aptly dubbed it "The Last One".

Why? Because it truly is the final piece in the run of 1,400 SL Gullwings, which cements its place as the ultimate version of arguably the most beautiful and coveted car Mercedes-Benz ever crafted.

This particular gem was completed on 15 May 1957. It was originally a special-order ‘Standwagen’ model, specifically built to be displayed at the 1957 Poznan International Trade Fair. Breaking tradition, it wasn’t dressed in the usual Mercedes silver; instead, it came painted in ‘Fire Engine Red’ - yes, that’s the official color name matched with cream leather upholstery.

After its brief stint in Poznan, the car made its way to the U.S. and has since enjoyed an enviably “fortunate life.” Over nearly seven decades, it’s passed through the hands of only four owners, with the current one treasuring it for a remarkable 25 years.

Amazingly, this Gullwing remains almost identical to how it left the factory back in 1957. The chassis, engine, bodywork, gearbox, and axles have all stayed intact, maintaining its original integrity.

A quick reminder of what makes the 300 SL special: it features a spaceframe chassis directly derived from the racing W194 that weighs in at just 50 kg. The unique design of this chassis necessitated those now-iconic gullwing doors.

Under the hood lies a race-inspired 3.0-liter straight-six engine that punches out around 215 bhp (160 kW), which gave the Gullwing a top speed of about 250 km/h depending on the final drive ratio. That was enough to make it the world’s fastest production car of its era, and a strong contender for the title of the world’s first true ‘supercar.’

Of course, this level of rarity and pedigree doesn’t come cheap. RM Sotheby’s expects "The Last One" to fetch between €2.3M and €3.3M when it goes under the hammer in Nevada on 22 November.

And while it’s the final Gullwing ever built, it’s probably not the last time one will cross the auction block. Not that we’re complaining; few cars can hold a candle to the 300 SL’s blend of beauty, history, and sheer desirability.