Vehicle Description
To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Auburn Fall event, 30
August - 2 September 2018.
Estimate:
$850,000 - $900,000
240 bhp, 2,996-cc overhead-camshaft inline six-cylinder
engineFour-speed manual transmissionTwo-owner example; in current
ownership since the mid-1980sOne of only 618 examples produced for
1957Accompanied by copy of factory build sheetDesirable first year
of the 300 SL roadster
In 1953 Max Hoffman, the U.S. distributor for Mercedes-Benz,
convinced Daimler-Benz to put a customer version of the astounding
and successful 300 SL race car into production. While initially
offered only in gull-winged coupe form, the strong demand for an
open air, top-down experience led Mercedes-Benz to develop a
roadster variant of the 300 SL which was first offered in 1957.
The most obvious area that had to be changed from the coupe was the
tube frame with its roof-hinged doors. By adding diagonal struts to
brace the lowered side sections and strengthening many of the
mainframe tubes, the engineers were able to maintain torsional
rigidity in the roadster while lowering the center connections
between the doors. Larger doors in a traditional shape were added
to make entry and exit easier. These also permitted the use of
roll-up windows.
In place of the unforgiving high-pivot swing-axle geometry of the
coupe adapted from the W186 chassis of the larger 300 sedans, the
roadster chassis used the low-pivot swing-axle rear suspension
adapted from the later 220a sedans, with a coil spring mounted
transversely above the differential linked to the axles by vertical
struts to mitigate bump oversteer. The frame and suspension
redesign also allowed for the installation of softer coil springs,
providing the roadsters with a much softer and more comfortable
ride than in the coupes without affecting the sporty handling.
Engine compression in the roadsters was increased to take advantage
of 100-octane gasoline becoming available, which increased
horsepower by 25 to offset the 250 lbs. of additional weight of the
roadster chassis, folding top, and wind-up windows. Introduced in
1957, the 300 SL roadster was in production through 1963, during
which time a total of 1,858 examples were produced.
This 1957 300 SL Roadster was completed on September 16, 1957. The
car was originally finished in the unusual and very rare Strawberry
Red Metallic (one of approximately 30 such examples) with a Gray
interior. Built for the U.S. market, it featured English
instrumentation, sealed-beam headlights, Becker Mexico radio,
3.89:1 ratio rear end gearing, and Michelin tires. The car was
transported by train to Amsterdam, where it was crated and shipped
to the United States by vessel.
Today, the car is presented in a beautiful and much more subtle
shade of cream with a tan leather interior and black convertible
top. A two-owner example from new, the car's current ownership is
traced back to the early 1980s. It is powered by a replacement 1958
engine with 8.5:1 compression, as per original. The engine is
paired to a four-speed manual transmission and the car rides on
Michelin tires which are mounted to color keyed steel wheels with
matching Mercedes-Benz hub caps. The leather interior presents
beautifully and features a dash-mounted clock, though the original
Becker Mexico radio has since been removed. This excellent driving
example has never been fully restored aside from being repainted
and retrimmed to its current combination. The car presents very
nicely throughout and would make a superb candidate for touring and
vintage road rallies.
Mercedes-Benz has always produced automobiles which displayed the
finest performance, craftsmanship and luxury the time period had to
offer. This 300 SL roadster is no exception, one of only 618
produced in its first year of the body style. The 300 SL features a
timeless design produced by an iconic marque, and remains highly
sought after by collectors today.To view this car and others
currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/AF18.