1961 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

• Attractive, classic colour scheme in silver-grey metallic (DB 180 G) with leather interior in dark blue and black soft top
• First delivered in the USA, in Germany since 1990, ownership history widely known
• Comprehensive ‘frame-off’ restoration and technical overhaul and documentation by a German specialist workshop (2011-2014)
• 5-speed gearbox from Getrag for good drivability
• Data card from Mercedes Benz available
• Ultimate, timeless style icon with racing genes from Mercedes Benz - a dream car from 1957 to the present day

This Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster was completed at the factory in January 1961 and delivered to its first owner in the USA. According to the data card available, the original colour scheme at the time of delivery was white-grey (colour code DB 158) with a red leather interior (colour code 1088) and black soft top (colour code 872). Later in the 1970s and 1980s, four other owners in Florida and California are known by name. In July 1990, the Roadster was imported to Germany by its new owner (name unknown) and then remained in the Munich area for over 20 years. It was then sold in 2010 via a classic car dealer to the next owner (name known) in the Hamburg area. This owner then kept the car for a further 13 years until the current owner, also in Hamburg, took over the car in spring 2023. The second owner in Germany had the 300 SL extensively restored by a specialist company in Stuttgart from 2011 to 2014 in order to return the car to its original, as-new condition, which is documented accordingly. As part of the restoration work, the body was separated from the tubular frame and stripped down to the bare metal. It was then sanded down, derusted, sandblasted and repaired with straightening work where necessary. As a result, the sheet metal lining has even surfaces and exact gap dimensions as well as correct closing behaviour of doors and bonnets. The tubular lattice frame was separated from all add-on parts and units, stripped of paint, sandblasted, straightened and repaired where necessary, checked for dimensional accuracy and painted black in its original colour. The chrome and trim parts were renewed accordingly and show a good fit and high-quality surface finish. In the interior, the damping mats, floor carpets, seats, door panels, controls and dashboard were restored to as-new condition. The seat frames were overhauled and the seats were reupholstered. The convertible top was also renewed, including the rubber seals. The engine was dismantled for diagnosis and then comprehensively overhauled with its ancillary units (including fuel pump, water pump distributor) and attachments (hoses, pipes, suspensions). In the course of this, a combined high-performance cooler (oil/water), an electrically and thermally controlled auxiliary fan and a chrome-plated or polished intake manifold were installed. The original gearbox was replaced by a 5-speed gearbox from Getrag with hydraulic clutch actuation, making the car much easier to drive than with the conventional 4-speed transmission. In addition, the front brake system with drums was converted to a disc brake system from the 300 SL (as fitted from March 1961) to improve drivability. The wearing parts of the rear drum brakes were also replaced. The front and rear axles were dismantled, sandblasted and repainted, wearing parts such as rubber silent bushes and wheel bearings were renewed. The steering was overhauled and sealed. Moreover, the electrical system also underwent a comprehensive inspection and was overhauled accordingly. Visually, the roadster was given an attractive, timeless colour combination during the restoration: a silver-grey metallic (DB 180), which is an original 300 SL colour available at the time, with a leather interior in dark blue (colour code 333) with a soft top in black. The elegant appearance is further emphasised by the fitted whitewall tyres. In terms of safety and comfort, some additional, partly hidden optimisations were made, such as the installation of 3-point seat belts with electric belt tensioners. This also includes the 205/70R15 84V tyres, battery main switch, hidden ignition interrupter switch, GPS tracking system and a Becker Mexico radio with the latest technology (including I-phone and AUX connections) and electric aerial. After the restoration was completed, the roadster was registered with an (historic) licence plate and has only covered 15,000 km since then. This 300 SL still benefits from the restoration and impresses with its high-quality overall condition in every detail. The front disc brakes and the modern 5-speed gearbox ensure very good driving characteristics. In view of the gearbox, however, this example is less suitable for originality enthusiasts, but all the better for those who want to enjoy a 300 SL more often on trips and at classic car rallies.

In 1952, the Daimler-Benz Board of Management decided to participate in international racing again and had the 300 SL racing sports car (W194) developed. Already in the same year, the car achieved remarkable successes: 2nd place at the Mille Miglia, a double victory at Le Mans with a new speed record. A quadruple record (!) at the Nürburgring followed and 1st place at the Carrera Pan Americana in Mexico. These motorsport successes were also to be used commercially. In 1954, the road version of the 300 SL (W198) celebrated its debut in New York. The most striking features were the gullwing doors that swung upwards. The reason for this was the construction: As with the 1952 racing sports car, the road version is based on consistent lightweight structure, with a lattice tube frame carrying the engine, gearbox and axles and not allowing for conventional doors. It is also the world's first series-production passenger car with direct petrol injection. At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957, a roadster was presented as the successor to the gullwing, which was technically essentially the same as the coupé. However, by modifying the side panels of the lattice tube frame, the entry height could be reduced to such an extent that ordinary doors could be realised. Thanks to a flatter rear frame and a redesigned fuel tank, the spare wheel was located under the floor. Hence, there was now space for a boot. The rear suspension was fundamentally improved: The single-joint swing axle with a lowered pivot point, already known from the Type 220a, was now also fitted in an adapted form to the 300 SL Roadster and was equipped with a compensating spring for the first time. Compared to the gullwing version, significantly improved driving characteristics were achieved. Of the technical changes that went into production over the course of six years, two are particularly relevant: In March 1961, the 300 SL received Dunlop disc brakes on all four wheels, and from March 1962, a modified engine with light-alloy block was fitted. 1,858 examples of the open-top roadster were built, compared with 1,400 gullwing versions before. Both as a coupé and as a roadster, the 300 SL was THE car of German and international celebrities in its day – including Sophia Loreen, Romy Schneider, Juan Manuel Fangio, Clark Gable, Tony Curtis, Herbert von Karajan, Hussein von Jordan, Curt Jürgens, Gunter Sachs and many more. Production of the 300 SL came to an end in February 1963, marking the end of an era at Daimler-Benz. Both versions of the 300 SL, roadster and gullwing, were special enthusiasts' cars from the very beginning and have lost none of their fascination to this day.