Mercedes 300 SL Roadster - 1959
W198 II
- One of 1,858 Roadsters built
- Delivered new in Dortmund, Germany
- Present ownership since 1991
- Major mechanical overhaul in 2008
- Numerous invoices
- Dutch registration documents
Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
Important Collectors' Motor Cars
The Zoute Grand Prix Gallery
Estimated : € 1.000.000 - 1.200.000
Not sold
Zoute Grand Prix Car Week 2025
Knokke - Zoute
België - Belgium
October 2025
Created to spearhead Mercedes-Benz's return to competition in the post-war era, the 300 SL debuted in the 1952 Mille Miglia, finishing 2nd and 4th overall. Wins in the Carrera Pan-Americana and at Le Mans followed, and the 300 SL was on its way to becoming part of motor sporting legend. Max Hoffman, the Mercedes-Benz importer for North America, believed there would be a market for a road-going version and managed to convince the factory that such a car would be a success.
The first racers were open-topped but before the '52 season's end the distinctive 'Gullwing' doored Coupé had appeared. Unusually high sills were a feature of the multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, and while access was not a problem of the open car, the adoption of coupé bodywork required innovative thinking - hence the Gullwing doors.
Launched in 1954, the production 300 SL retained the spaceframe chassis of the racer and was powered by a 2,996cc, overhead-camshaft, inline six canted at 45 degrees to achieve a lower, more aerodynamic bonnet line. Using Bosch's innovative direct fuel injection, this state-of-the-art power unit produced 215bhp at 5,800rpm. A four-speed gearbox transmitted power to the hypoid bevel rear axle, while suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front with swing axles and coil springs at the rear.
Tested by the highly respected American magazine Road & Track in 1955, the 300 SL accelerated from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, going on to achieve a top speed of 140mph: outstanding figures for its day. It was, arguably, the world's first supercar. Its racing parentage notwithstanding, the 300 SL was and remains a thoroughly practical automobile, as civilised in city driving as it is exhilarating on the highway.
Clearly the 300 SL Coupé would be a hard act to follow yet the Roadster version, introduced just three years later, succeeded in bettering its closed cousin's already exemplary road manners. Built with conventional doors, the 300 SL Roadster was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957 and was an immediate hit with the 1950s 'Jet Set' of royalty, actors, and socialites. The production of an open 300 SL involved altering the cockpit area, where the spaceframe was redesigned to permit lower sills for improved access. At the same time the rear suspension was changed to incorporate low-pivot swing axles. Disc brakes were standardised from March 1961, while towards the end of production a small batch of Roadsters was completed with an aluminium cylinder block.
The Roadster's neutral steering characteristics received fulsome praise from Road & Track. A 0-60mph time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 130mph were recorded, making the 300 SL Roadster one of the fastest convertibles of its time. The 300 SL Roadster sold well for a car that cost more than a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, and would outlive the 300 SL Coupé, which ceased production in 1957, by several years. Roadster production ceased in 1963 after 1,858 cars had been built, some 70% being exported to the USA, and today the model is both rare and highly sought after.
The beautiful Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster we offer was delivered new in 1959 in Dortmund, Germany and is believed to have been driven in Europe until 1969 when it was exported to the USA. Resident in California from 1969 until 1991, the Mercedes then came back to Europe where the last custodian kept the car in his collection from 1991 to 2025. It is believed that the original 1959 engine was replaced in period by the factory; the engine number has been retained.
Some years ago the Roadster was repainted in the current exterior colour 172 Grau, an attractive official Mercedes colour, and given a new brown leather interior. In 2008, a major overhaul of the engine and mechanicals was undertaken (invoice available) while recently the car underwent a major service. Front disc brakes have been mounted to make it more driveable.
The Roadster is now in beautiful condition and drives very well. It comes with a copy of the Datenkarte,, as well as a lot of invoices.
A beautiful example of the iconic 300 SL Roadster, this is a highly desirable motor car that would make an exhilarating yet extremely practical touring companion; indeed, there cannot be many better ways of travelling to a classic event, taking part and driving home.
Mercedes 300 SL Roadster - 1959
W198 II
- One of 1,858 Roadsters built
- Delivered new in Dortmund, Germany
- Present ownership since 1991
- Major mechanical overhaul in 2008
- Numerous invoices
- Dutch registration documents
Bonhams : The Zoute Sale
Important Collectors' Motor Cars
The Zoute Grand Prix Gallery
Estimated : € 1.000.000 - 1.200.000
Not sold
Zoute Grand Prix Car Week 2025
Knokke - Zoute
België - Belgium
October 2025
Created to spearhead Mercedes-Benz's return to competition in the post-war era, the 300 SL debuted in the 1952 Mille Miglia, finishing 2nd and 4th overall. Wins in the Carrera Pan-Americana and at Le Mans followed, and the 300 SL was on its way to becoming part of motor sporting legend. Max Hoffman, the Mercedes-Benz importer for North America, believed there would be a market for a road-going version and managed to convince the factory that such a car would be a success.
The first racers were open-topped but before the '52 season's end the distinctive 'Gullwing' doored Coupé had appeared. Unusually high sills were a feature of the multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, and while access was not a problem of the open car, the adoption of coupé bodywork required innovative thinking - hence the Gullwing doors.
Launched in 1954, the production 300 SL retained the spaceframe chassis of the racer and was powered by a 2,996cc, overhead-camshaft, inline six canted at 45 degrees to achieve a lower, more aerodynamic bonnet line. Using Bosch's innovative direct fuel injection, this state-of-the-art power unit produced 215bhp at 5,800rpm. A four-speed gearbox transmitted power to the hypoid bevel rear axle, while suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front with swing axles and coil springs at the rear.
Tested by the highly respected American magazine Road & Track in 1955, the 300 SL accelerated from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, going on to achieve a top speed of 140mph: outstanding figures for its day. It was, arguably, the world's first supercar. Its racing parentage notwithstanding, the 300 SL was and remains a thoroughly practical automobile, as civilised in city driving as it is exhilarating on the highway.
Clearly the 300 SL Coupé would be a hard act to follow yet the Roadster version, introduced just three years later, succeeded in bettering its closed cousin's already exemplary road manners. Built with conventional doors, the 300 SL Roadster was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957 and was an immediate hit with the 1950s 'Jet Set' of royalty, actors, and socialites. The production of an open 300 SL involved altering the cockpit area, where the spaceframe was redesigned to permit lower sills for improved access. At the same time the rear suspension was changed to incorporate low-pivot swing axles. Disc brakes were standardised from March 1961, while towards the end of production a small batch of Roadsters was completed with an aluminium cylinder block.
The Roadster's neutral steering characteristics received fulsome praise from Road & Track. A 0-60mph time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 130mph were recorded, making the 300 SL Roadster one of the fastest convertibles of its time. The 300 SL Roadster sold well for a car that cost more than a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder, and would outlive the 300 SL Coupé, which ceased production in 1957, by several years. Roadster production ceased in 1963 after 1,858 cars had been built, some 70% being exported to the USA, and today the model is both rare and highly sought after.
The beautiful Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster we offer was delivered new in 1959 in Dortmund, Germany and is believed to have been driven in Europe until 1969 when it was exported to the USA. Resident in California from 1969 until 1991, the Mercedes then came back to Europe where the last custodian kept the car in his collection from 1991 to 2025. It is believed that the original 1959 engine was replaced in period by the factory; the engine number has been retained.
Some years ago the Roadster was repainted in the current exterior colour 172 Grau, an attractive official Mercedes colour, and given a new brown leather interior. In 2008, a major overhaul of the engine and mechanicals was undertaken (invoice available) while recently the car underwent a major service. Front disc brakes have been mounted to make it more driveable.
The Roadster is now in beautiful condition and drives very well. It comes with a copy of the Datenkarte,, as well as a lot of invoices.
A beautiful example of the iconic 300 SL Roadster, this is a highly desirable motor car that would make an exhilarating yet extremely practical touring companion; indeed, there cannot be many better ways of travelling to a classic event, taking part and driving home.