• An attention-grabbing rendition of the glamorous super-leicht roadster
• Wears the stunning color combination of White over red leather upholstery with black soft top
• The 213th of only 267 examples produced for the model year
• Thought to benefit from an older restoration carried out in the 1990s
• Reportedly delivered new to Spain; tastefully upgraded with disc brakes

When the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL first broke cover in 1954, it presented a blinding vision of the future. A technological marvel, the revolutionary machine set a new performance benchmark that sent shockwaves through the automotive industry. From its bold-yet-beautiful aerodynamic styling to the cutting-edge mechanical fuel injection that afforded its straight-six such power, the incredible ‘Gullwing’ blew its competition out of the water. But perhaps what is most remarkable was that it achieved such performance while also proving to be one of the most elegant, chic and desirable automobiles of the decade—a car often hailed as the first true supercar.

The Gullwing quickly found favour with wealthy enthusiasts and automotive cognoscenti, but the 300 SL only fully captured the imagination of Hollywood’s elite with the arrival of the open Roadster variant in May 1957. Powered by the same 2,996-cc straight-six engine that drove the coupé, the Roadster was tuned for greater power to help offset a 125-kilogram increase in weight. The rear suspension—which in the Gullwing presented such a challenge to drivers when pushed to the limit—was modified with single-pivot trailing arms with a lower pivot point that offered more consistent handling. The car’s trademark “gullwing” doors, meanwhile, were changed to more conventional units allied with lower sills, that allowed for more a more elegant entry and exit—a must for any silver screen starlet arriving for a premier at the Egyptian Theatre.

As well as being more practical than its tin-top sibling, the 300 SL Roadster had greater longevity, remaining in production until 1963. Just 267 examples were produced in 1958, with the example offered here having been completed at Untertürkheim towards the end of the model year, and reportedly distributed new to Spain.

After several years of residence in Spain, it then moved briefly through collections in France and Switzerland before entering a collection in Germany under the care of a friend of the consigning owner sometime during the mid-1980s. Around this time, this super-leicht is understood to have been treated to a complete restoration by marque specialists, which included a tasteful upgrade to the later 300 SL disc brakes configuration; a set of original-type drum brakes also accompany the sale.

After many years of desirous negotiations with this friend, the consignor was finally able to purchase chassis 85500277 in early 2016, and since then it has remained a much-enjoyed member of their well curated collection of post-war sportscars.

This wonderful 300 SL Roadster is presented today in the exceptionally attractive, period-correct color combination of White over red leather with a contrasting black cloth top, and a set chrome disc wheels with colour-matched hubs. An engineering and design masterpiece that offers a truly sublime driving experience, over 60 years after it was first introduced, the 300 SL Roadster remains the gold standard for sports cars of its era.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/ve23.