1957 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

This dream roadster was delivered in the USA in 1957 and re-imported to Germany in 1999. A complete restoration was carried out between 2000 and 2003, during which the front axle was equipped with a disc brake system.

A current valuation report of €1,650,000.00 is available.

Features:

• Black
• Cream leather
• Becker Mexico radio
• Luggage set
• Electric auxiliary fan

The W 198 traces its origins to the Mercedes-Benz W 194 racing car, which had already been named "300 SL" and achieved unexpected racing successes in 1952. In the previous year, Daimler-Benz had decided to participate in races again in 1952 and to build a sports car for this purpose. To achieve sufficient performance for racing, the existing engine of the 300 S coupe (M 188) had to be further developed. Still equipped with carburetors, it produced 175 PS (129 kW).

In 1952, the car competed in the most important races of the year, against much more powerful opponents. For the first time, the new SL demonstrated speed and reliability at the Mille Miglia in early May, securing second place in this endurance race. A triple victory was achieved at the Bern Grand Prix. The 24-hour race at Le Mans ended unexpectedly with a double victory. The winners were Hermann Lang and Fritz Riess, who set a new record in Le Mans history with an overall average speed of 155.575 km/h. Theo Helfrich and Helmut Niedermayr finished second. A race at the Nürburgring ended with a quadruple victory. At the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico, the 300 SL, driven by Karl Kling and Hans Klenk, triumphed again, despite a vulture crashing through the windshield. This allowed Mercedes-Benz to continue its great pre-war racing successes.

A notable vehicle in SL history was the 300 SL with chassis number 0011/52, developed for the 1953 racing season. However, it never saw use as Mercedes-Benz decided to return to Formula 1 racing in 1954. This unique car, still in the possession of Mercedes-Benz and now under the care of Mercedes-Benz Classic, already featured a fuel-injected engine and 16-inch wheels. Its transmission was mounted on the rear axle, and the body was redesigned for reduced aerodynamic drag. However, this transmission arrangement was not adopted for the production series.

Initially, there were no plans for series production of the 300 SL. However, Max Hoffman, the U.S. importer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, had long been requesting a large and a small Mercedes sports car for his customers. The 1952 racing coupe that had unexpectedly won the Carrera Panamericana and was thus known in the USA, served as the basis. After much deliberation, the decision was made to produce the 300 SL in a road version as the W 198, and the production of a smaller roadster, the Mercedes-Benz W 121 B II (190 SL), was also announced.

Less than six months after the board's decision, the two sports cars made their debut at the "International Motor Sports Show" in New York, held from February 6 to 14, 1954. Mercedes-Benz received an extremely positive visitor response to both the 300 SL and the 190 SL. Series production of the 300 SL began in August 1954 at the Sindelfingen plant. Compared to the 300 SL exhibited in the USA, the production series saw minor changes, including vent windows in the doors, modified door locks, a two-spoke steering wheel instead of the three-spoke spring wheel, a clock, and some control knobs repositioned on the dashboard. In addition, heating and ventilation levers were added, which the exhibition model did not have. Shortly after production began, or from the 51st car onward, the long gearshift lever that engaged directly with the transmission was replaced by a shorter one with a shift linkage. The first W 198 models were sold in Europe in 1954, and the first vehicle was exported to the USA in March 1955. Of the 1,400 Gullwings built, the majority—about 1,100 units—were shipped to the USA. To meet the specific demands of American customers (more comfort, a larger trunk, and often a convertible), the 300 SL Roadster (W 198 II) was built starting in 1957, with 1,858 units produced.

The price of the W 198 was set at 29,000 Deutsche Mark. In 1953, a Mercedes 170 Vb cost 7,900 DM. However, in 1954, the 300 SL was not the most expensive car in the Mercedes lineup—the W 188 cost 5,500 DM more. The purchase price of a standard VW Beetle in 1953 was 4,400 DM, which was roughly equivalent to the average annual gross income of an industrial worker two years later, with a weekly working time of 48 hours.

At first, distribution in North America was mainly handled by Max Hoffman, and later by Studebaker-Packard.

Of course, before delivery, a new customer service will be carried out in our Mercedes-Benz workshop, and the vehicle will be presented to the TÜV for re-approval.

Delivery within Germany is free of charge!

We are happy to assist you personally during the following hours and look forward to your visit. However, we kindly ask you to make an appointment in advance so that we can set aside the necessary time for you:

• Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Viewings and test drives are also possible outside our business hours by appointment.

All offers are non-binding and subject to change at any time.
Sale and errors in this offer are expressly reserved!
All text information regarding the history and model details is taken in excerpts from Wikipedia entries. The equipment details of the vehicles are according to the manufacturer's information, for which no guarantee is assumed for completeness.