A rare 1957 Mercedes just auctioned for $1.15 million — see inside the pristinely restored icon

• The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is one of the most iconic cars the German automaker has ever made.
• Recently, a 1957 300SL Gullwing sold for $1.15 million on car auction website Bring a Trailer.
• Between 2014 and 2016, it underwent a huge restoration. It looks pristine now.

Among Mercedes cars, the 300SL Gullwing is perhaps the most iconic. With a classic Mercedes front fascia and striking gull-wing doors, the 300SL represents some of the best of Mercedes design, ever. Examples of the car regularly fetch more than $1 million, like this one from car auction website Bring a Trailer.

On September 25, this 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing sold for $1.152 million, according to its listing. Shipped from the Mercedes factory on February 22, 1957, the listing said it's one of the 1,400 Gullwing coupes built over the course of three years of production.

Read on to learn more about it. Trust me — you'll want to see this interior.

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing is perhaps one of the most iconic Mercedes cars ever built. This blue one just sold for $1.152 million on a car auction site called Bring a Trailer.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

It had about 56,000 miles shown on its odometer.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

It has a number-matching inline-six engine as well as a numbers-matching four-speed transmission — a term used in the business to denote authenticity.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

A 2014-to-2016 restoration included an engine rebuild.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

And just look at this interior!

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

During the restoration, the cabin got a re-upholstery.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

The blue leather of the door sills, door panels, and bolsters looks great with the blue-on-gray plaid cloth seat covers.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

There's a Becker Mexico radio underneath the dash.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

In 1957, that radio was a $264 option. In today's money, that's $2,441.93. Prices for high-end car stereos have stayed pretty consistent!

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

Back in the 1950s, an Austrian-born, New York-based luxury car importer named Max Hoffman pushed for the 300SL's development.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

Source: Automobile Magazine

He encouraged Mercedes to build a sports car that would be a hit with US buyers.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

The eventual 300SL Gullwing wore design cues from Mercedes' W194 race cars.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

Read more: Mercedes-Benz

Including the striking gull-wing doors.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

The 300SL Gullwing debuted at the 1954 New York Auto Show.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

This particular example has 15-inch painted wheels from the factory.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

The engine produces a factory-claimed 215 horsepower.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer

Whoever bought it truly got something special.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL.      Bring a Trailer