1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

198.042.8500302roadGermany

Engine: Inline six-cylinder with competition camshaft, fuel-injected
Colour: Medium Blue (DB 350)

A late-1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, chassis among the final 324 examples of the model year, originally ordered in September 1958 by King Hussein of Jordan and delivered to his London representatives on 31 October 1958. The car was subsequently imported to the United States, underwent an extensive multi-year restoration by noted specialist Rudi Koniczek around 2005, and later passed to Skip Barber — three-time SCCA champion and Formula 1 driver — who commissioned further comprehensive mechanical work. It is presented in Medium Blue over grey leather with period accessories.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$1,380,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
1958-10-31 →Factory delivery
King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan
full documentation
Delivered new to the King's London representatives; original order specified different colors than the final delivered specification. Hussein was an avid motorsport enthusiast and already familiar with the 300 SL model.
2005 →Acquisition unknown
Rudi Koniczek
partial documentation
Marque specialist who undertook a thorough, multi-year restoration of the car around 2005 at considerable expense.
2013-08-01 →Private sale
Skip Barber
full documentation
Three-time SCCA champion, former Formula One driver, and racing school founder; invested over $50,000 in ongoing maintenance and mechanical refreshing through marque specialists in New Hampshire.
Date unknown
US-based owner or owners following import from Jordan
none documentation
Car was eventually imported to the United States at some point after leaving royal ownership; no specific owner details provided for this interim period.

Competition

—SCCA
SCCA Championship (multiple wins)
Driver: Skip BarberThree-time champion
Referenced as part of Barber's biography; not directly linked to this specific vehicle.

Maintenance & restoration

2005Restoration
Rudi Koniczek
A comprehensive, no-expense-spared restoration carried out over multiple years by marque specialist Rudi Koniczek; the result was subsequently well-preserved in the years that followed.
Work began around 2005; exact completion date not stated.
—Mechanical
Rare Drive
Thorough mechanical refresh covering suspension, steering, braking, and engine cooling systems, including rebuilding of the ignition distributor, steering box, radiator, rear brake shoes, and fuel injection pump, plus a valve adjustment and engine-timing service. Numerous gaskets, lines, bushings, bearings, clamps, mounts, and consumables were renewed.
Work commissioned by Skip Barber after his August 2013 acquisition; documented by work orders on file. The sole non-original addition was a modern electric back-up fuel pump; factory drum brakes, 3.89:1 rear axle, and original interior fittings were retained.

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