1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster was produced from 1957 to 1963 as the convertible counterpart to the iconic 300SL Gullwing coupe. With its striking design and a 3.0-litre inline-six cylinder engine featuring advanced fuel injection technology, the 300SL Roadster became a hallmark of automotive excellence. Highly prized by collectors, with around 1,858 units built, it was a resounding success for Mercedes-Benz.

The Roadster’s sibling, the ‘Gullwing,’ introduced groundbreaking innovations that became industry standards, such as fuel injection and a lightweight tubular-frame chassis. After the Gullwing’s production ceased, Mercedes-Benz continued to evolve the platform with the 300SL Roadster, establishing it as a benchmark for open-top performance cars. A key refinement was the revised rear axle, featuring low-pivot swing axles, which further enhanced handling. Even nearly 70 years later, the model remains a testament to engineering brilliance.

The car Pendine Historic Cars are offering to the market is a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster, first registered in December 1957 and delivered to G.C. Richardson of White River, South Africa. It was supplied by Cargo/Mercurius Motors Limited, the Mercedes-Benz distributor for South Africa at the time. According to the Mercedes-Benz factory Datacard, the car retains its original and desirable colour specification of DB180 Silver Grey metallic paint and red leather interior (code 1079).

Mr. Richardson drove the car for nearly 20 years on South Africa’s scenic roads before selling it to Mr. Joe Horvath. In December 1976, Mr. Horvath commissioned an engine rebuild by Micro Motor Engineering in South Africa, replacing the block with an original Mercedes-Benz unit dated April 1957. The block was restamped with the original engine number (7500469). At the time of the rebuild, the car had covered 37,209 miles.

Mr. Horvath drove the car for an additional 5,528 miles before bringing it to Houston, Texas, in September 1982. Records show the car was driven just one mile before being stored for a decade. In December 1992, Mr. Deward Werner of Garden City, New Jersey, became the third owner. In 1997, he sold the car to Mr. Gerard Hill of St. Louis, Missouri, who restored its paint and upholstery, maintaining the original colour combination.

Just over a year later, the car was sold at auction in Monterey, California, to Mr. John Crane of Chicago, Illinois. In October 1999, Mr. Crane had the engine rebuilt at Richardson Restoration & Machine Werks in Scottsdale, Arizona. At that time, the car had 48,124 miles on the odometer, and fewer than 10,000 miles have been added since. In 2011, the car received a service from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California.

When sold to its next owner in 2011 by Autosport Designs based in Long Island, New York, the car had undergone several enhancements, including a bespoke air conditioning system and a brake system renewal.

The car had also been serviced meticulously, regardless of cost. After two years of ownership, Autosport Designs were intsructed to sell the car again with the 300SL making its way to a new owner in London, England, who enjoyed the Mercedes from 2013 to 2021. It was then subsequently sold through Pendine Historic Cars to its current owner.

Prior to offering the car to the market, the Roadster has undergone a major service and inspection by Classic Performance Engineering, confirming its excellent condition throughout.

This car comes with a comprehensive history file, documenting its ownership and maintenance from new, including paperwork that confirms its original specification and identity. Additionally, the car is accompanied by its orginal factory bookpack and period Mercedes-Benz tool roll.

Overall, this 300SL Roadster benefits from having not been excessively restored, preserving its originality while being impressively well-presented. Both the structural and mechanical conditions are excellent, and it’s clear the car has been carefully maintained. The odometer currently shows just 62,684 miles, and it is not inconceivable that this reflects the total mileage from new, especially given the detailed documentation in the history file.

This 300SL Roadster delivers exceptional performance, even by modern standards, its advanced handling characteristics make it a favourite for long-distance touring. The car also offers comfort and practicality, with ample luggage space for extended journeys.