Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

1,858 examples of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster rolled off the production line between 1957 and 1964. Every single one of them is a technical masterpiece and a visual treat. On the basis of what is presumably the third-to-last delivered vehicle, we venture a look back at this model series, which laid the foundation for the roadster series still known today. Behind the combination of numbers 198.042.10.003207 is the chassis number of this car, which places it in numerical order among the final 50 300 SLs produced. However, excerpts from Mercedes-Benz production books prove that this example wasn’t completed until February 1964, making it one of only three cars still delivered that year. In addition, it has an interesting history, which we will discuss later.

From race car to Roadster

First, let’s take a look back at how the 300 SL Roadster came to be. It all began in 1952 with the W194, which Mercedes-Benz had developed for the sports car championship. Due to a high-rise tubular frame chassis, conventional doors weren’t possible. Early examples only had doors around the side windows that opened upwards. This proved impractical for driver changes, so the openings were extended downward. In addition, there was at least one completely open Roadster. Various racing successes of these prototypes led to great customer interest, especially in the USA, which was passed on by the importer Max Hoffman. As a result, the production version was built in Sindelfingen under the abbreviation W198, which was available from 1954 as a Gullwing Coupé. To make it even easier for private customers to get in and out, the steering wheel could be tilted. After 1,400 units, the changeover to the 300 SL Roadster took place in 1957.

Changes compared to the Coupé

From the outset, Mercedes-Benz incorporated many detail improvements in the Roadster compared to the Coupé. For example, a redesigned tube frame allowed the installation of conventional doors with wind-up windows. Next to that, the rear swing axle was modified to significantly improve handling and reduce oversteer. The three-liter inline six-cylinder powerplant came as standard with a sports camshaft and thus 25 hp more power than in the Coupé. From 1961, disc brakes were included all round and a year later the Swabians switched from cast iron to aluminium engine blocks. In total, only 218 examples of the 300 SL Roadster with aluminium engine and disc brakes rolled off the production line. Of course, 198.042.10.003207 belongs to this select circle, which is thus also closed again. This vehicle received an unusually rich equipment, which contained interesting details besides a hardtop painted in contrasting color (black). The one-piece headlights were protected with stone guard grills ex works.

From Iran to the USA and RM Sotheby’s

Production records also indicate that a leather interior in red was ordered to match the “Grey Blue (DB 166)” body paint. Who exactly the orderer was, however, is unknown. Mercedes-Benz delivered this 300 SL Roadster to Iran. Possibly the car belonged to the collection of the Shah, who was at least photographed together with this sports car at a European airport. Later, the 300 SL made its way to the United States, where it was sold by a dealer to an enthusiast in Bellingham, Washington, in late 1971. The latter kept it until 2013, but rarely drove it. After those 42 years, the car moved to Seattle with about 80,300 kms on the clock. Already in March 2014, the owner changed again. The following year, an extensive, two-year restoration began at the Legendary Classic Center in Costa Mesa, California. RM Sotheby’s will auction the 300 SL in Arizona in January 2022.

Images: RM Sotheby’s, Karissa Hosek