1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

198.042-10-002870roadGermany

Engine: 3.0L inline-six with competition camshaft
Colour: White over red leather with black soft-top

The 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis 002870, is a US-market example finished in factory-original White over red leather with a black soft-top. Built in the desirable final year of production that introduced factory Dunlop four-wheel disc brakes, it ranks among approximately the 90th disc-brake car delivered. After more than two decades with a Massachusetts owner, the car passed to a prominent Mexican collection and subsequently underwent an exhaustive multi-year restoration by RM Auto Restoration between 2014 and 2017, retaining its numbers-matching drivetrain throughout.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$1,545,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
2007 →Acquisition unknown
Mexican collection consignor
partial documentation
Prominent Mexican collector who commissioned a comprehensive multi-year restoration by RM Auto Restoration between 2014 and 2017, with expenditure approaching $450,000 and an emphasis on preserving original components.
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Thomas Hosmer
partial documentation
Based in Concord, Massachusetts; kept the car for over two decades and was an active participant in 300 SL club activities. Ownership began sometime in the late 1960s and ended by 2007.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2014Restoration
RM Auto Restoration
Comprehensive multi-year ground-up restoration carried out with a stated priority on preserving and refurbishing original components wherever feasible. Body and spaceframe were separated, damaged areas replaced with new metal, and all mechanical and accessory systems were overhauled. The engine and four-speed gearbox were found to be mechanically sound and received significant attention without full internal rebuilds; OEM replacement parts were sourced from specialist suppliers.
Restoration spanned 2014 through June 2017; invoices on file total approximately $450,000. Numbers-matching engine, gearbox, rear axle, front axles, and body were all retained.

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