1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- Fuel-injected inline-six, NSL sporting tune
- Colour
- Graphite grey
An early Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster finished in its original Graphite Grey over red leather, a combination restored to factory specification after the car passed through several American owners. Introduced in 1957 as a convertible successor to the iconic Gullwing coupe, the 300 SL Roadster shared the coupe's high-performance fuel-injected engine and offered top speeds between 133 and 155 mph. This example has resided in a climate-controlled private collection since a full restoration was completed around 2009.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$1,100,000 – US$1,250,000
- → 1974Factory deliveryDonald J.G. Leekpartial documentation
First registered owner, based in Hammonton, North Dakota, per the Gull Wing Group Roadster Register. Car was originally finished in Graphite Grey over red leather during this period.
- 1974 → 1998Acquisition unknownArthur S. Kleimerpartial documentation
Resident of Edison, New Jersey; held the car for over two decades. During his ownership the bodywork was repainted blue.
- 1998 →Private saleRussell Moranpartial documentation
Based in Wheatridge, Colorado; sold the car shortly after acquiring it to a subsequent owner in New Jersey.
- → 2009Private saleCB Restorationspartial documentation
Restoration specialist based in Haverhill, Massachusetts, acting as agent for the current owner. Carried out a comprehensive restoration including returning the car to its original Graphite Grey and red leather livery.
- 2009 →Private saleCurrent ownerpartial documentation
Car kept in a climate-controlled private collection and driven approximately 1,000 miles since acquisition; regularly serviced and exercised.
- Date unknownPrivate salePrivate gentleman in Mendham, New Jerseypartial documentation
Owned the car for roughly a decade; during this period the car was refinished in red. Subsequently sold to CB Restorations acting on behalf of the current owner.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2009RestorationCB Restorations
Comprehensive restoration returning the car to its original Graphite Grey exterior and red leather interior specification.
Work carried out in Haverhill, Massachusetts on behalf of the current owner prior to delivery.
- —Bodywork
Exterior repainted blue at some point during Arthur Kleimer's ownership in New Jersey.
- —Bodywork
Bodywork refinished in red during the tenure of the Mendham, New Jersey owner.
- —Service
Routine servicing and periodic exercise maintained since the restoration, with the car stored in a climate-controlled environment.
Approximately 1,000 miles accumulated since 2009.
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