1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L inline-six with Bosch fuel injection and sports camshaft, 240 bhp
- Colour
- Silver (factory color, repainted metallic light blue during prior ownership, restored to original silver in 2009)
An early Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, delivered in Rome on 14 August 1957 to Luigi Innocenti, founder of the Innocenti Company famed for Lambretta and Mini production. The car subsequently passed to Count Werner Rodolfo of Milan, during whose ownership it received a bespoke glass hardtop commissioned by Count Agusta of Agusta Helicopters. Acquired by the current owner's family in 1976, it underwent a light cosmetic and mechanical overhaul in 2009 returning it to its original factory silver. Numbers-matching throughout, European specification, with all major components verified against the build sheet.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €1,051,250 (≈ $1.16M)
- 1957-08-14 → 1958-02-28Factory deliveryLuigi Innocentifull documentation
First registered owner, took delivery in Rome with local plates. Head of the Innocenti industrial group, manufacturers of Lambretta scooters and Minis among other products.
- 1958-02-28 → 1976-09-16Private saleCount Werner Rodolfofull documentation
Milanese nobleman who had the car repainted from factory silver to metallic light blue and retrimmed in leopard-print fabric. A bespoke glass hardtop was fabricated for the car by his close associate Count Agusta of the helicopter manufacturing family.
- 1976-09-16 →Private saleConsignor's fatherfull documentation
Acquired after extended negotiations to persuade the previous owner to sell. A cosmetic and mechanical refresh in 2009 returned the car to its original factory silver finish; the bodywork was reportedly still in very good condition at that point.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1958Bodywork
Car repainted from original factory silver to metallic light blue, and the interior retrimmed in leopard-print cloth during Count Werner Rodolfo's ownership.
Exact date within Count Werner's ownership (1958–1976) is not specified beyond being at some point after acquisition in February 1958.
- 2009Restoration
Light but comprehensive cosmetic and mechanical overhaul returning the car to its factory silver colour. The bodywork was reportedly still in excellent condition, so the scope was refreshment rather than a structural project.
Commissioned by the current owner's family. Owner emphasised the limited extent of the work given the sound underlying condition.
- —Modification
A unique one-off glass hardtop was produced, reportedly at the behest of Count Agusta of Agusta Helicopters, a close acquaintance of Count Werner who also owned a 300 SL.
Hardtop remains with the car at time of sale.
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