1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L inline-six with competition camshaft
- Colour
- Strawberry Red Metallic ('Erdbeerrot' DB 543)
Chassis 7500115 is a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster finished at the factory in the exceptionally rare first-year-only colour Erdbeerrot (Strawberry Red Metallic), believed to be among only a few dozen Roadsters so finished. Completed on 12 August 1957 and delivered to its first owner in New York, the car remained with its second owner's family for nearly five decades before passing to a subsequent owner who commissioned a three-year bare-metal, nut-and-bolt concours restoration by Canadian 300 SL specialist Rudi Koniczek. The car retains its original chassis, engine, body, front axles, and rear differential.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,215,000
- 1957 → 1957Factory deliveryWilliam Stoffpartial documentation
New York resident who took delivery of the car after factory completion in August 1957; reportedly used it infrequently before selling.
- 1957 → 2004Private saleGeorge Parkerpartial documentation
Greenwich, Connecticut resident whose family kept and treasured the car for roughly half a century before parting with it.
- 2004 →Private saleTimothy Mullinspartial documentation
Charlotte, North Carolina owner who commissioned a comprehensive bare-metal restoration completed in 2007 by specialist Rudi Koniczek; car showed only modest mileage use after restoration.
Competition
- 2023Colorado Grand2023 Colorado Grand
Car was prepared for participation with a major service exceeding $11,000 carried out by an Arizona-based workshop, including fitment of new period-style tires.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2004RestorationRudi & Company
Full three-year bare-metal, nut-and-bolt concours restoration encompassing a complete rebuild of all mechanical components, a new wiring harness, and a bare-metal respray in the correct factory Strawberry Red Metallic finish. Interior and soft top were replaced in tan leather rather than the original light grey.
Work commissioned by Timothy Mullins and carried out by 300 SL specialist Rudi Koniczek of Victoria, British Columbia. Extensive photographic documentation of the process exists. Restoration completed in 2007.
- 2023ServiceR.W. Fabrications
Pre-event service costing over $11,000 in preparation for the 2023 Colorado Grand, including fitting a new set of Vredstein Sprint Classic tyres.
Workshop located in Phoenix, Arizona.
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