1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L straight-six, mechanical fuel injection
- Colour
- Silver Metallic
A December 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster — approximately the 450th chassis of its inaugural model year — originally delivered to the US market in Fire Engine Red over Crème leather. Subsequently refinished in Silver Metallic with red leather and red fabric top, the car spent time in Beverly Hills and was displayed at three consecutive Monaco Grand Prix events circa 2011–2013. In 2025, its numbers-matching 3.0-litre straight-six received a complete rebuild by the RM Auto Restoration team, with over $100,000 in documented work.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,160,000
- 2020-01-16Auction saleEstimate US$950,000 – US$1,100,000
- 1957-12-17 →Factory deliveryOriginal US recipient via New Orleans deliverypartial documentation
Car was assembled on 17 December 1957 and shipped through the Bremen dealer to the Studebaker/Packard US importer network, with final delivery destination recorded as New Orleans. Originally finished in bright red with cream leather.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownLong-term California collectorpartial documentation
Car remained in a California collection for approximately twenty years under attentive stewardship, during which time it underwent a cosmetic and mechanical restoration and was used on select occasions.
Competition
- 19521952 Mille Miglia2nd and 4th overall
This result was achieved by the racing 300 SL prototype, not the specific car offered; mentioned as model-history context.
- 2011Formula 1 World ChampionshipMonaco Grand Prix Formula One event
California owner attended the Monaco F1 Grand Prix as a spectator/participant with this car; attendance evidenced by windshield stickers still present.
- 2012Formula 1 World ChampionshipMonaco Grand Prix Formula One event
Second consecutive attendance at Monaco by the California owner with this car; confirmed by period windshield decals.
- 2013Formula 1 World ChampionshipMonaco Grand Prix Formula One event
Third consecutive attendance at Monaco by the California owner with this car; confirmed by period windshield decals.
- —Carrera PanamericanaVictory
Win recorded for the 300 SL racing prototype as part of model background; not specific to this chassis.
- —Le Mans 24 HoursVictory
Win recorded for the 300 SL racing prototype as part of model background; not specific to this chassis.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2025Engine rebuildRM Auto Restoration
Complete rebuild of the numbers-matching 3.0-litre straight-six engine by the Pebble Beach Concours-winning restoration team; total scope of work exceeded $100,000 as documented by invoices on file.
Engine removal also allowed inspection of the spaceframe chassis, which was found to be in excellent preserved condition with no bent or damaged sections.
- 2025MechanicalRM Auto Restoration
Replacement clutch fitted to the four-speed gearbox as part of the same workshop visit.
Covered under the same set of invoices as the engine rebuild.
- 2025ServiceRM Auto Restoration
Thorough cleaning and detailing of the engine bay, exterior detailing, and cosmetic touchups as required to complement the existing prior restoration.
- —Restoration
Full cosmetic refinish carried out under prior Beverly Hills ownership: exterior repainted in Silver Metallic, interior retrimmed in red leather, and the fabric hood replaced in matching red. Work was performed without separating the body from the spaceframe chassis.
Subsequent inspection during the 2025 engine removal confirmed the chassis was in excellent, undamaged condition throughout.
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