1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Colour
- White
A Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster completed in April 1958, delivered new in white over black leather to a company in Cologne with a specification including chrome wheels and a Becker radio. Chassis 8500217 retains its matching-numbers engine and coachwork. From 1976 it remained within one German family for 35 years, then passed to noted German rock musician Herbert Grönemeyer for a decade of further investment. Most recently subjected to a comprehensive mechanical overhaul exceeding €178,000, the car is accompanied by factory build records and documentation reaching back to 1974.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €1,000,000 – €1,500,000
- 1958-04-01 →Factory deliveryBielenberg company, Colognefull documentation
First recipient of the car, a commercial entity based in Cologne; delivery confirmed by factory build records.
- → 1975Fred Kowalskipartial documentation
Car's whereabouts between first delivery and this owner are unrecorded; documented as owner by 1974.
- 1975 → 1976-03-01Acquisition unknownH E Mottmannpartial documentation
Ownership lasted roughly one year before the car moved to a longer-term custodian.
- 1976-03-01 → 1994Acquisition unknownFritz Pohlpartial documentation
During this period the bodywork was repainted light green and the original radio was swapped out; car appears to have been in regular use.
- 1994 → 2011-11-01InheritanceKarl Heinz Pohlfull documentation
Brother of the previous owner; initiated a mechanical overhaul in 1999 including a repaint to silver, exhaust replacement, and new front dampers, then used the car in occasional local rallies over the following decade.
- 2011-11-01 → 2023Private saleHerbert Grönemeyerfull documentation
Prominent German rock musician who acquired the car via intermediary Stefan Weinstock; commissioned substantial restoration work, first through Weinstock and later through HK Engineering, supported by extensive invoices.
- 2023 →Private saleAustrian collectorfull documentation
Current consignor; commissioned a comprehensive mechanical rebuild at Auto Wien Mitte between early 2023 and mid-2025, covering engine, gearbox, clutch, fuel pump, and axles, at a cost exceeding €178,000.
Competition
- —Local rallies, GermanyDriver: Karl Heinz Pohl
A small number of regional events attended over roughly a decade following the 1999 recommissioning; no specific event names or results recorded.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1999Restoration
Car was brought out of long-term storage and subjected to a general overhaul, including a full repaint in silver.
Commissioned by Karl Heinz Pohl after approximately 23 years of storage.
- 1999MechanicalStefan Weinstock
Specialist performed maintenance encompassing replacement of the exhaust system and front shock absorbers.
Carried out following the repaint as part of the recommissioning process.
- 2023RestorationAuto Wien Mitte
Comprehensive overhaul running from March 2023 to June 2025, covering a full engine rebuild with reconditioned cylinder head and crankshaft, gearbox and clutch rebuild, fuel pump and axle repairs, and fitment of new Michelin tyres. Total cost exceeded €178,000.
Commissioned by the current Austrian owner; fully documented by invoices on file.
- —RestorationStefan Weinstock
Significant restoration measures undertaken during Herbert Grönemeyer's ownership, initially by the same specialist and subsequently by a different engineering firm.
Work is supported by numerous invoices on file; exact dates and full scope not detailed in the prose.
- —RestorationHK Engineering
Further restoration work carried out by HK Engineering during Grönemeyer's period of ownership.
Documented by invoices; represents the second phase of restoration under Grönemeyer.
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