Owned by Dr. Hassan Moghadam – Ottawa, QC
Some vehicles stop you in your tracks. The 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing owned by Ottawa surgeon Dr. Hassan Moghadam is one of those cars. Known worldwide for its performance and unmistakable doors, the 300SL is often ranked among the most significant sports cars ever built.
Dr. Moghadam is no stranger to special machinery. He already had a 1969 Aston Martin DB6 in his garage, yet the search for something truly rare continued. In 2012 he discovered a listing online for a Gullwing located surprisingly close to home. Many doubted the ad due to the model’s value and rarity, but it turned out to be completely genuine.
He visited the car with his young son, who noticed the worn paint and age marks from years of storage. For Dr. Moghadam, those details only added to the appeal. The car had been tucked away for decades, largely untouched, and still wearing much of its original finish. A deal was reached on a handshake, and the car made its way to Ottawa later that year.
A Rare Canadian Delivery
Paperwork shows the 300SL was ordered in June 1956 and shipped to Montreal within days. It included a winter package designed for Canadian climates that used a curtain system to regulate airflow through the radiator. Very few Gullwings were sent to Canada when new, which makes this example noteworthy on its own.
The car believed to have travelled just over 31,000 miles, still displays a mid-century oil change sticker, and carries the kind of patina collectors dream about. Decades of storage helped preserve it as one of the most original Gullwings in the country.
A Journey Through Quebec History
The first owner worked in the remote northern community of Sept-Îles. Local roads were unpaved, so the car was often driven on the open runway at the town’s airport. It passed through a small handful of owners, including the airport manager and later the son of a British industrialist working in the region.
In 1960 the car was purchased by George O’Connell, whose family was well known in road and airport construction. O’Connell kept the car for most of his life, storing it alongside his father’s impressive personal collection. During that time the Gullwing was enjoyed by notable friends and visitors, and it became a familiar sight among the family’s many classic vehicles.
As O’Connell prepared to scale down his collection, the car was listed for sale and eventually found by Dr. Moghadam. Its long Quebec history, low mileage and unrepeatable originality made it irresistible.
Why This Car Matters
Few 300SLs remain in such authentic condition. This one carries over six decades of Canadian history, a direct link to the early days of Mercedes-Benz performance cars, and the story of the people who kept it safe for so many years.
For collectors, this is the definition of a barn-find treasure. For enthusiasts, it is a reminder that the right car sometimes appears when you least expect it — even an hour from home.
If you have a unique classic with its own story, Zehr Collector Car Insurance can help protect what matters and keep its history alive for the next generation.
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