1960 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

Matching Numbers ExampleStunning combination of Light Green Metallic (DB274) over Natural leather (1060)Bare metal respray in 2023Mechanically gone through by Martin Cushway Engineering in 2023The Mercedes 300SL Roadster owes its existence to the legacy of the 1952 Mercedes-Benz W194 racing car. In 1952 Mercedes-Benz were keen to get back into competition to try and continue the absolute dominance they enjoyed before the war with their unbeatable ‘Silver Arrows’. Built around a tubular frame that weighed just 82kg but which had exception rigidity, the W194 was powered by the 3.0 Litre Single Overhead Cam six cylinder engine from the 300S. Breathing through triple Solex carburettors the engine produced 175bhp, not an unrespectable figure but lagging behind the power offered in the Ferraris and Jaguars of the time. However, the lightweight approach and streamlined design meant for excellent handling and speed. As a result the W194 went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Eiffelrennen and the gruelling Carrera Panamericana, as well as coming 2nd and 4th overall in the Mille Miglia. A phenomenal achievement, especially in a debut season with a new car.The W194's success on the track captured the public’s imagination, but it was a particular luxury car importer who really pushed Mercedes-Benz to develop a road-going version. Max Hoffman had a great eye for desirable products but, more importantly, he recognised the voracious appetite in booming post war America for fast sports cars. He was so confident that in a 1953 director’s meeting in Stuttgart he ordered 1,000 300SLs to guarantee the success of the model. This was the man who would go on to push Porsche to make the 356 Speedster and BMW to make the 507 Roadster, so history would confirm his good taste and we should thank him.Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300SL Gullwing (W198) at the 1954 New York International Auto Show. The fact that it was launched in New York as opposed to Frankfurt or Geneva tells us where their target market was. The road car was very much a direct descendant of the W194 racer, using the same tubular chassis which lead to the adoption of the same, now iconic, ‘Gullwing’ doors. It is often thought that these doors were a stroke of genius in aesthetic design but the reality is, it was a necessity. The main strength of the tubular chassis would have been massively compromised had Mercedes-Benz tried to fit traditional doors, so while it was still a stroke of genius it was very much function over form. The biggest change over the race car was the adoption of Direct Fuel Injection, this led to a power increase from 175bhp in the race car to close to 240bhp in the road car. The 300SL Coupé was a huge success with 1,400 being built, the majority of which found homes in the United States.Despite this early success, the fast-moving market and impracticalities of the 300SL, such as getting in and out and the focus on performance over comfort, meant sales started to slow in 1956. The still hungry US market was screaming out for a convertible version and in 1957 they got their wish. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show that year, the 300SL Roadster shared many mechanical components with the Gullwing but introduced several improvements. The tubular frame was modified, allowing for conventional doors while maintaining rigidity. The suspension was revised to include a single-pivot rear swing axle with a low pivot point. The latter made for much improved handling and stability. Whisper it, but some say the Roadster is the better car to drive.Produced until 1962 the Roadster was even more of a success with 1,858 built, again most of which went to the United States. This sales success is all the more impressive because in the US the price of 300SL Roadster was 70% more than a Coupé!Disc brakes were introduced from 1961 which while improving stopping power, added 100kg to the kerb weight, according to some sources. In 1962 a small number of 300SL Roadsters were fitted with engines that had an aluminium engine block. Designed to lower the weight and thus improve the handling and performance, when one factors in the weight increase as a result of the brakes, with hindsight an early drum brake car is probably a sweeter spot in the line-up. Of course, due to rarity the disc brake cars and even more so, the alloy block cars are very sought after by collectors.The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster for sale with Wrightson Automotive was produced in late July 1960 and was destined for California. The first owner ordered their Roadster in Ivory (DB 608) with Red (1079) seats and carpet and the fabric hood was Black (872). No hardtop was specified.The very early history is not known but at some point the car was restored and finished in Red with a Beige interior. Interestingly the dashboard was left the original Ivory colour. We are fairly confident the car stayed in the sunny climes of California as the two previous owners before the car came to the UK were Jack Dietz of Tiburon, California and Granger Hill of San Francisco.In the early 1980’s the 300SL Roadster made the journey across the pond and was bought by a Mercedes collector from Coys of Kensington, London. Based in the Principality of Monaco, the collector kept the car there and it is reported that it was maintained by his in-house mechanics and the car was used regularly. In 2003, the 300SL Roadster returned to Coys as a result of the collector buying a big Pre-War Mercedes.That year the 300SL was bought by the previous owner, a Mr. Ryall from near Cardiff, Wales. Upon purchasing the car he had it taken to renowned Mercedes specialist Brian Gunney of Redcastle Classics. The brake cylinders needed replacing and the tyres were changed on account of age. Mr. Ryall would keep the car, taking it to various shows, tours and featuring it in several magazines during his ownership. According to one article in Classic Mercedes in 2013, Mr. Ryall had done 7,500 miles in the car and it had simply needed regular maintenance. Testament to the build quality of any Mercedes but a great sign of this particular 300SL Roadster being an excellent example.In June 2022 the time had come for the 300SL to find a new home and it joined the fabulous and eclectic collection of the current owner. Upon purchasing the car the decision was made to restore the car cosmetically including a bare metal respray to the beautiful shade of Light Green Metallic (DB274) over Cream (technically called Natural) leather (1060). The cosmetic work was entrusted to Mercedes specialist, Templar Classics in Buckinghamshire and they have done an absolutely superb job. Mechanically, there was only one choice in this owner’s mind, Martin Cushway. Considered the UK’s leading 300SL specialist, Martin has been involved with 300SLs for most of his life, in fact, his family owned a 300SL from new until just two years ago when it was sold, having amassed an astonishing 380,000 miles since his father had collected it from the factory in 1962.With a clear remit to go through the car and make sure everything was working as it should be the car was completed and ready for an Italian rally in March 2023.With a wonderful collection of cars, many of which are more focussed and suited to the rallies he takes part in, the owner has found that the Mercedes is not getting as much use as he would like and therefore the time has come for it to go to a new home where new memories and history can be made.Accompanied by the very apt number plate, a lovely history file, original jack, fitted luggage and a FIVA ID card, the latter of which allows it to take part in many tours and rallies in Europe, this beautiful Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster is ready to be enjoyed by the very lucky next owner.