1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

198.042.8500241roadGermany

Engine: Fuel-injected inline-six
Colour: White grey ('Weissgrau', DB 158 G)

The 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis 241, left the factory finished in White Grey over red leather and was delivered new to its first owner in Lucerne, Switzerland on 19 July 1958 following factory collection. Retaining its original service book, factory data card, and all numbers-matching components throughout a carefully documented ownership history, the car underwent a comprehensive restoration commencing in 1990 and has received multiple professional refurbishments since, remaining in notably original and well-preserved condition.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$1,259,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1958-07-17 →Factory delivery
John P. Rich
full documentation
First retail buyer, based in Nashua, New Hampshire; took delivery likely while traveling in Europe and immediately used the car for an extended continental tour, accumulating over 10,000 miles within seven months.
Date unknown
New Jersey-based dentist and Gull Wing Group member
partial documentation
Commissioned a thorough engine rebuild in 1982 during his ownership.
Date unknown
Consignor's father
partial documentation
A long-standing Gull Wing Group member who initiated a full restoration starting in 1990, engaging specialist Kent Bain of Automotive Restorations in Stratford, Connecticut, which included bare-metal repainting and a new interior.
Date unknownInheritance
Current consignor
partial documentation
Inherited or received the car from the consignor's father; had a major mechanical refresh performed in 2008 and another extensive service completed in 2020.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

1958
Service
Initial factory service carried out two days after delivery, with approximately 349 miles on the odometer.
Performed in Lucerne, Switzerland; documented in the original service book.
1959
Service
Second documented service carried out roughly seven months after delivery, by which point the car had exceeded 10,000 miles.
Recorded in original service book; date is approximate based on prose description.
1982
Engine rebuild
Comprehensive engine rebuild commissioned by the then-owner.
Commissioned by a New Jersey dentist who was also a Gull Wing Group member.
1990Restoration
Automotive Restorations
Full restoration commenced, including bare-metal repaint in the original White Grey shade, fitting of new red leather interior, and installation of a new black soft-top.
Much of the work was carried out by specialist Kent Bain based in Stratford, Connecticut; commissioned by the consignor's father.
2008Service
Precision Automotive Restoration
Extensive recommissioning refresh including radiator and oil cooler re-coring, engine and transmission resealing, and complete rewiring with a new wiring harness.
Work carried out by Mark Allin; undertaken more than a decade after completion of the prior restoration.
2020Service
R&R Automotive Restorations
Another extensive service to maintain reliability and presentation.
Performed by R&R Automotive Restorations of Mount Kisco, New York.

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