1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L inline-six with sports camshaft
- Colour
- Ivory
Chassis 7500594 is an early Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, approximately the 518th of 1,858 built, finished from new in ivory over red leather — a combination it retains today. Likely delivered new to the United States, given its American-specification headlamp lenses, the car passed through American ownership in the 1980s before being acquired by a Portuguese enthusiast in 1996. It retains its original engine, bodywork, and steering box, and carries a FIVA identity card issued in 2007.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €764,375 (≈ $841K)
- → 1989Acquisition unknownRichard Schmausspartial documentation
Wisconsin-based collector and lifelong automotive enthusiast who accumulated several high-end German vehicles; ownership confirmed via an entry in the Gullwing Group registry.
- 1996-12-01 →Acquisition unknownPortuguese-based enthusiast (consignor)partial documentation
Acquired the car with 31,275 miles showing; subsequently engaged Mercedes-Benz Classic of Portugal for careful recommissioning work, and obtained a FIVA card for the vehicle in 2007.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2007Inspection
The car was assessed and issued a FIVA identity card, confirming its eligibility for major historic-vehicle events.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration was carried out at some earlier point in the car's history; the work is described as well-preserved and of older date, with the original ivory-over-red colour scheme maintained throughout.
Exact date and workshop unknown; the restoration predates the current ownership period.
- —ServiceMercedes-Benz Classic of Portugal
Following acquisition in late 1996, the current owner had Mercedes-Benz Classic of Portugal carry out selective remedial work to bring the car up to a satisfactory standard without altering its character.
Scope limited to what was needed; described as a sympathetic freshening rather than a full restoration.
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