Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster (1957)

Created to spearhead Mercedes-Benz's return to competition in the post-war era, the 300SL debuted in the 1952 Mille Miglia, finishing 2nd and 4th overall. Wins in the Carrera Pan-Americana and at Le Mans followed, and the 300SL was on its way to becoming part of motor sporting legend. The first racers were open-topped but before the '52 season's end the distinctive gull-wing doored Coupé had appeared. Unusually high sills were a feature of the multi-tubular spaceframe chassis, and while access was not a problem of the open car, the adoption of coupé bodywork required innovative thinking - hence the gull-wing doors.

Launched in 1954, the production 300SL retained the spaceframe chassis of the racer and was powered by a 2,996cc, overhead-camshaft, inline six canted at 45 degrees to achieve a lower, more aerodynamic bonnet line. Using innovative direct fuel injection, this state-of-the-art power unit produced 215bhp at 5,800rpm. A four-speed gearbox transmitted power to the hypoid bevel rear axle. Suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front, with swing axles and coil springs at the rear. Tested by the highly respected American magazine Road & Track in 1955, the 300SL accelerated from 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds, going on to achieve a top speed of 140mph: outstanding figures for its day. It was, arguably, the world's first supercar.

Clearly the 300SL Coupé would be a hard act to follow yet the Roadster version, introduced just three years later, succeeded in bettering its closed cousin's already exemplary road manners. Built with conventional doors, the 300SL Roadster was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957 and was an immediate hit with the 1950s 'jet set' including royalty, actors and socialites. The production of an open 300SL involved altering the cockpit area, where the spaceframe was redesigned to permit lower sills for improved access. At the same time the rear suspension was changed to incorporate low-pivot swing axles. The 300SL Roadster sold well for a car that cost more than a Ferrari 250GT California Spyder, and would out-live the 300SL Coupé by several years.

Please note, this vehicle is no longer for sale.

Completed by the factory in May 1957, this 300 SL Roadster was completed in ‘Elfenbein DB608’ (Ivory) over a red leather interior. Options on the build sheet include dials ‘re-written’ in English as this example was dispatched to the Mercedes-Benz in London.

Supplied new to it first keeper in 1958, this 300 SL Roadster was the 16th car completed and first owned by Samuel McCrudden Jnr, proprietor of a linen and handkerchief business in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ownership is documented by a scan of the Buff logbook in the car's accompanying history folio.

His ownership was brief and the car moved back to England a year later finding residence in Berkshire with Aspro family member Maurice Nicholas, early developers of Aspirin in the 1900s. Initially their tablet had been called Nicholas' Aspirin; but later the product name was changed to Aspro formed from the last two letters of the name 'Nicholas', and the first three of the word 'Product'.

The 300 SL was then sold by dealership H.R. Owen to aristocrat, wartime secret-agent, racing driver and naturalist Gavin Maxwell of Ross-shire, Scotland. A keen conservationist, Maxwell split his time between London and Scotland, driving between the two in a series of pre-war Bentleys, including a Corsica-bodied example. Maxwell would go on to own a second 300 SL roadster, the first car notably proved its engineering pedigree with a race from Sandaig to Glasgow for an otter-related emergency.

A keen and enthusiastic driver, Maxwell’s biography regales adventures in 300 SLs, one of which Maxwell drove “at fantastic speed on the Moroccan roads — up to 140 mph at times, averaging nearly 98 mph from Marrakesh to Mogador...!”

In 1970, the 300 SL found home with the previous and long-term form keeper. Owning the car for 33 years, well-known classic racer Mr Forsdyke took the car off the road and placed it in storage. With the intention of carrying out a total restoration, the car instead sat for an extended period in storage in a partly dismantled state.

Purchased by its current custodian in 2003, a decision was made to bare-metal restore the 300 SL Roadster. Opting for the period correct shade of Anthracite Grey (DB172), the comprehensive restoration was carried out on-and-off for 15 years with Kevin O' Keeffe Restorations at a cost of £320,000. Upon completion, the roadster was wholly covered in bespoke paint protection film.

Since restoration the car has covered just 2,900 miles and presents superbly. This wonderful 300 SL roadster is available to view at our showrooms outside London immediately, accompanied by an original hardtop, period tool kit with jack of the correct type, restoration file and history folio.

Furthermore, an inspection report by 300 SL specialist Martin Cushway is available.