1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- Fuel-injected inline-six (M198), ~240 bhp, with competition-specification camshaft
- Colour
- Light Green Metallic
A first-year (1957) Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, one of 554 completed in that initial production year, originally delivered in Ivory over red leather through a Los Angeles dealer. At some point in its history the matching-numbers drivetrain was replaced, but a restoration completed in 2003 by San Francisco Bay-area specialist Jurgen Klockemann brought the car to a high standard in Light Green Metallic over dark green leather. The consignor subsequently located and reinstalled the original factory engine, making this a particularly well-documented example of the model.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,066,500
- 1957 →Factory deliveryOriginal California purchaser via Los Angeles dealerpartial documentation
Car was apparently retailed new through a Los Angeles dealership; subsequent ownership history through the first decades is largely unknown.
- 2003 → 2014Acquisition unknownUnidentified owner who commissioned restorationpartial documentation
Engaged Bay Area restorer Jurgen Klockemann for a thorough cosmetic and mechanical overhaul; the car was refinished in Light Green Metallic with matching interior and top during this period.
- 2014 →Acquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Located and reunited the original factory engine with the car after overhauling it; also added discreet power steering, Bluetooth audio, and color-matched reproduction Rudge knock-off wheels.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownWilliam Alffpartial documentation
A 300 SL enthusiast who sourced and had a correct replacement engine and transmission rebuilt, but passed away before the planned restoration could be finished.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2003RestorationJurgen Klockemann
A thorough cosmetic and mechanical restoration was carried out, refinishing the car in Light Green Metallic with a dark green leather interior and matching cloth hood; the previously rebuilt 300 SL engine and gearbox were installed at this time.
Klockemann was described as a well-regarded restorer based in the San Francisco Bay area.
- 2014Engine rebuild
The car's original factory-fitted engine was tracked down, overhauled, and reinstalled in place of the replacement unit that had been fitted during the 2003 restoration.
- 2014Modification
Electronic power-assisted steering and a Bluetooth-capable audio system were discreetly integrated into the car, along with the fitting of body-colour Light Green Metallic reproduction Rudge knock-off wheels.
Both electronic systems were installed so as to remain hidden from casual view, visible only on close inspection beneath the dashboard.
- —Modification
At an undetermined point the car's original W198 engine and four-speed manual gearbox were removed and replaced with a non-300 SL drivetrain; the circumstances and date are not recorded.
- —Engine rebuild
A correct 300 SL engine and matching transmission were sourced and rebuilt at William Alff's direction in preparation for the car's restoration, though the work was never completed during his ownership.
These components were subsequently installed during the 2003 restoration.
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