Description

Chassis No. 198.042.7500385
Engine No. 198.980.7500415
Body No. 198.042.7500309

In the three years after its appearance at the 1954 International Motorsports Show, the road-going version of the W194 race car had earned the adoration of an emerging jet set clientele for its cutting-edge performance and outrageous gullwing doors. Not ones to forfeit an opportunity for improvement, the engineers in Stuttgart were already developing a worthy successor to the Gullwing, breaking cover as the 300 SL Roadster in 1957. The new model replaced its coupe sister car, and in doing so featured numerous technical and cosmetic upgrades while retaining the athletic character that had made it a sensation.

Despite the visual similarities to its predecessor, the open-body Roadster received considerable enhancements under the skin in the interest of creating a more polished and usable grand tourer. The welcome introduction of conventional doors and wind-up windows necessitated a redesign of the Uhlenhaut-engineered spaceframe, which now incorporated lower door sills for ease of access. The new architecture crucially allowed for a folding soft top, alleviating the tight cabin conditions of the coupe. As a final touch of practicality, the spare was relocated to underneath the trunk and the fuel tank downsized, affording a generous storage area for fitted luggage, if so optioned. The Roadster retained the race-derived six-cylinder engine with a bump in horsepower thanks to a competition camshaft pioneered on the alloy-bodied W194. The rear suspension was redesigned to feature a low-point swing axle geometry with softer, transversely mounted coil springs to address oversteer without sacrificing ride quality. All told, the Roadster had no trouble exceeding 150 miles per hour, claiming the title of the fastest production car in the world.

This matching-numbers, professionally restored and diligently serviced 300 SL Roadster was completed at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Stuttgart on 3 December 1957, appearing exactly as it does today, with the graceful Roadster bodywork finished in classic DB050 White over a lovely, contrasting DB333 Blue leather upholstery. A digital copy of the Mercedes-Benz factory build sheet or “Data Karte” as they are referred to, in addition to a Mercedes-Benz Classic-issued Zertifikat, specifies these important details. As a US-market example, it is fitted with sealed-beam headlights and instruments in English, equipped with a Becker Mexico radio, and shod with Michelin tires. According to research by renowned 300 SL restorer and expert Scott Grundfor, this Roadster appears to have been sold new in 1958 to Mr. L. Burroughs of South Bend, Indiana. Further notes by Mr. Grundfor indicate that the car would later come into the hands of Mr. Horst Limburg of Jones, Michigan, before being acquired by D.R. Blanks of Amarillo, Texas in 1974. A Mr. Bell is believed to have acquired the car from D.R. Blanks who would become a long-term owner of the 300 SL. Mr. Grundfor would come to acquire the car from Ms. Geraldine Bell of Burlington, Colorado in April of 2004. A restoration of the desirable Mercedes-Benz had commenced by Mr. Bell, but when he passed away in the late 1990s, the car had been safely stored away.

Soon after acquiring the 300 SL, Mr. Grundfor brought the car home to his renowned restoration facility in Arroyo Grande, California, where the restoration would be resumed and completed over a two-year period by Grundfor and his skilled team of craftsmen. The nut-and-bolt restoration included a full disassembly, sandblasting, and powder coating of the complex 300 SL chassis, while the Roadster bodywork was carefully stripped to bare metal and refinished in the as factory-delivered, DB050 white color. Rubber parts were replaced throughout, while the convertible top and interior were fully restored in the factory original Blue. Chrome and brightwork - which consisted of mostly original unrestored pieces throughout - were professionally refurbished and replated. The brake and fuel systems were rebuilt as well, and the original VDO gauges were sent out to be professionally restored. A new wiring harness was fitted, in addition to a stainless-steel exhaust system. The mileage indicated on the odometer at the time of Mr. Grundfor's acquisition was recorded at 86,706 miles – a figure which very much matched the originality of the car at the time of restoration.

The freshly restored, matching-numbers 300 SL Roadster was acquired by the consignor in 2006, a noted Southern California-based collector of exceptional European sports cars with a taste for cars of high quality and provenance. While in the consignor's devoted care for the past 17 years, this desirable Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster has received professional service and maintenance by the specialists at the official Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California as well as local Los Angeles-based 300 SL guru Rene Luteraan. Receipts documenting the diligent service and maintenance work carried out over the years can be found in the history file, and total more than $45,000.

Today, this numbers-matching 300 SL Roadster presents in exceptional condition throughout, expertly restored in its factory-delivered livery. The odometer reading at the time of cataloging of 87,911 miles is considered to be the actual mileage, based on the aforementioned research. The car has been looked after and kept in the consignor's state-of-the-art, climate-controlled collection facility, while being regularly exercised on Southern California roads. Shown at the Quail – A Motorsports Gathering, and toured on the Quail rally, the impressively performing Mercedes-Benz has also enjoyed a trip on the Mercedes-Benz Classic-backed 300 SL Classic Rally. The subtle leather interior is beautifully complemented by the classic ivory 300 SL steering wheel, graceful VDO instrumentation, and the correct Becker Mexico radio as delivered with the car from new. A blue Haartz soft top is neatly tucked away under the rear tonneau and the trunk is equipped with a custom-made two-piece luggage set by Taris Charysyn and Co, color-coded to the interior color as was offered in period on these cars. Owner's manuals, a directory of authorized Mercedes-Benz dealers, and a neat, period 300 SL sales brochure also accompany the sale of the car, as well as a tool kit in pouch and jack.

This striking matching-numbers 300 SL Roadster is documented by both a copy of the original factory build sheet and Mercedes-Benz Classic Zertifikat and is eligible for a host of Concours d'Elegance and Touring events all over the globe, including the Mille Miglia as a 1957 model-year 300 SL and the Colorado Grand. Restored by a renowned Mercedes-Benz specialist, this is a spectacular example of one of the era's best-engineered and aesthetically pleasing automobiles, which remains arguably one of the most collectible cars to this day.

Addendum & Administrative Notes

Please note, that although the engine number matches; due to the engine's later date code, this engine appears to be a period, factory replacement unit of the correct type.