1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L inline-six overhead-cam, fuel-injected, 215 bhp (DIN)
- Colour
- Fire Brigade Red
A 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster finished in Fire Brigade Red over tan leather, delivered new in Chicago and owned by its first keeper for 34 years, accumulating only 30,000 miles. Following a two-year marque-specialist restoration commissioned in the mid-1990s, the car passed through two further owners before reaching its current custodian in 2011. Equipped with original wheels, radio, tools, luggage, and factory documentation, it has never previously appeared at public auction.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$1,210,000
- 1960-04-20 → 1994Factory deliveryRobert C. Borwellfull documentation
Chicago-based insurance executive who took delivery of the car new; kept it for 34 years during which it accumulated only 30,000 miles with no rust or collision damage.
- 1994 → 2002Private saleEric Applebaumfull documentation
Wisconsin resident who commissioned a two-year marque-specialist restoration shortly after acquiring the car; reportedly built a dedicated storage tower to protect the finished result.
- 2002 → 2011Private salePaul J. Rollerpartial documentation
Friend of the previous owner based in Elmgrove, Wisconsin; continued to refine the car's condition during his nine-year stewardship.
- 2011 →Private saleFourth and current ownerpartial documentation
Has maintained the vehicle using marque specialists and stored it in a climate-controlled environment; this auction represents the car's first-ever public sale.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationMarque specialist (unnamed)
A comprehensive restoration was carried out by a marque specialist over a period of approximately two years, returning the car to an exceptional standard. Supporting documentation including invoices, receipts, and photographs from the work is retained with the car.
Commissioned by Eric Applebaum shortly after his 1994 purchase; completed before 2002.
- —ServiceMarque experts (unnamed)
Following the restoration, the car has been regularly maintained by marque experts and stored in climate-controlled conditions. Correct-pattern Dunlop tyres were sourced through the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center.
Ongoing maintenance conducted during the fourth owner's tenure from 2011 onward.
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