1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L inline six-cylinder OHC, 215 bhp (DIN) / 240 hp (SAE)
- Colour
- Anthracite Grey
A 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, one of only four originally finished in Linden Green (DB 218G) and built for the American market. Over its history it passed through several documented owners across California, Georgia, and New Jersey before receiving a comprehensive two-year frame-up restoration by Precision Automotive Restoration in Massachusetts, after which it was repainted Anthracite Grey. The quality of that work was recognised with a Best in Class award at the 2004 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,842,500
- → 1990Acquisition unknownPatrick Smiekelpartial documentation
Resident of Santa Ana, California; held the car until selling it in 1990.
- 1990 →Private saleJames Clifford Jr.partial documentation
Based in Atlanta, Georgia; owned the car for a brief period before passing it to the next Atlanta-based buyer.
- → 2010Private saleSteven Adlerpartial documentation
Described as a prominent collector based in New Vernon, New Jersey; held the car briefly before it moved to the Andrews Collection.
- 2010 →Private saleAndrews Collectionpartial documentation
Acquired the vehicle in 2010; consignor of the current auction sale.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownJohn DiGiorgiopartial documentation
Based in Sausalito, California; described as the first recorded owner, with no detail on how or when he acquired or sold the vehicle.
- Date unknownPrivate saleWiley P. Ballard Jr.partial documentation
Atlanta-based wartime glider pilot turned oil and gas producer with a preference for German cars; received the car in an all-red, heavily used state and drove it regularly with his wife for approximately a decade before commissioning a full two-year restoration in Anthracite Grey following his wife's passing.
- Date unknownPrivate saleScott Lutgertpartial documentation
Purchased from Ballard after the latter could no longer drive comfortably due to age; subsequently resold the car.
Competition
- 20042004 Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceBest in Class
Car was exhibited following its multi-year restoration under Wiley Ballard's ownership, earning top class honors before returning to Georgia.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationPrecision Automotive Restoration
A thorough two-year ground-up restoration covering every aspect of the car, including a repaint in factory-correct Anthracite Grey, a black leather interior retrim, and the correct reinstatement of engine-bay details such as inspection marks, clamps, hoses, and decals. Chrome wheels and period-correct Michelin X-stop tyres were fitted.
Work led by Mark Allin, formerly shop foreman at Paul Russell & Company, who had extensive experience with Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs. Commissioned by Wiley P. Ballard Jr. as a tribute to his late wife.
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