1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L SOHC inline-six with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 250 bhp at 6,200 rpm
- Colour
- Silver Metallic (DB180)
A 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, chassis 198.042.8500081, delivered new in white over red leather for the American market. Originally on the West Coast, the car passed through several noted California collectors before moving to the Midwest and East Coast. In current ownership since March 2004 and maintained by Black Horse Garage in Connecticut, it presents as a matching-numbers example with discreet modern additions including air conditioning and a hidden stereo, alongside its original instruments and a classic Nardi steering wheel.
Ownership
- 2022-09-30Auction saleSold US$975,000
- 1977 →Acquisition unknownDave Goerlichpartial documentation
California-based owner who followed Orosco in the chain of custody.
- 2000 → 2002Acquisition unknownGerard 'Jay' Hillfull documentation
Kirkwood, Missouri owner who commissioned extensive work including a repaint to silver metallic in 2001, a navy blue leather retrim in 2002, and roughly 100 pages of documented mechanical and cosmetic servicing; the car itself remained primarily in California and Scottsdale during his tenure.
- 2002 → 2003-07-01Acquisition unknownMichael Hammerpartial documentation
Arizona-based collector who owned the car for approximately one year before selling.
- 2003-07-01 → 2004-03-09Private saleCary Robinsonpartial documentation
Radnor, Pennsylvania owner who held the car briefly before it passed to the long-term current owner.
- 2004-03-09 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Over 18 years of ownership with maintenance carried out by Black Horse Garage in Connecticut; car was described as accident-free at acquisition and has seen sparing use in recent years.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownDonald Oroscopartial documentation
Noted collector who kept the car during its early years on the US West Coast.
Competition
- 19521952 Mille Miglia2nd and 4th overall
This was the race-specification 300SL's competitive debut, part of Mercedes-Benz's postwar return to motorsport.
- —Carrera Panamericana1st
Win recorded for the racing 300SL as part of its early competition programme.
- —Le Mans 24 Hours1st
Victory at Le Mans further established the 300SL's motorsport credentials prior to the road car's launch.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2000Service
Extensive mechanical and cosmetic recommissioning spanning the period 2000 to 2002, documented across roughly 100 pages of receipts.
Commissioned by Gerard 'Jay' Hill; the scope covered both mechanical and cosmetic areas of the car.
- 2001Bodywork
Full repaint carried out, changing the colour from the original white to DB180 Silver Metallic.
Work documented among approximately 100 pages of service records accumulated during Gerard 'Jay' Hill's ownership.
- 2002Bodywork
Interior retrimmed in navy blue leather, replacing the earlier red upholstery.
Part of the broader recommissioning programme carried out during Hill's ownership.
- 2004Modification
Prior to current ownership, the car had been fitted with a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, a concealed AM/FM/CD head unit in the glovebox, and an under-dash air conditioning system; these were retained by the incoming owner.
Original Becker Mexico radio remained visible in the dashboard fascia alongside the hidden modern unit.
- —ServiceBlack Horse Garage
Ongoing maintenance carried out throughout the current ownership period.
Specialist garage located in Bridgeport, Connecticut, used as the primary service provider for the car.
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