To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Amelia Island event, 8 - 9
March 2019.
Estimate:
$1,200,000 - $1,400,000
- Highly documented, comprehensive award-winning restoration
- Equipped with European headlights, Becker Mexico radio, and
Nardi wheel
- Documented matching-numbers example
- Includes factory hardtop, luggage, tools, manuals, and
literature
- Exceptionally well-sorted and ready for touring
One of the most coveted of all Mercedes-Benz automobiles, this
handsome 300 SL roadster is an award-winning, numbers-matching
classic that has recently benefited from a significant amount of
high-quality work performed by some of the finest shops in the
country.
Mercedes-Benz factory records indicate this 300 SL was assembled in
late 1958 as a 1959 model, delivered new in silver with red leather
to Al Haddad Motors in Iselah, in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The 300
SL was imported to the U.S. in the early 1960s where it was
purchased by someone from Santa Barbara, California. It is believed
to have remained in the Golden State before being exported to Japan
in the 1990s. Mr. Motomori Tanaka of Toyko owned the car by 2000,
where it was kept in his private collection for a decade, after
which it returned to sunny Southern California.
A San Diego-based collector acquired the well-maintained 300 SL
shortly after its return. He would commission the widely respected
restoration experts at Brian Anderson's Classic European in Vista,
California, to conduct a complete body-off restoration to concours
condition in 2010. The comprehensive restoration was fully
documented, with the completed car emerging from restoration in
April 2012, donning the elegant color scheme of White (DB 147G)
over a black leather interior. The restoration efforts were
rewarded with the car winning its class at the 2012 La Jolla Motor
Car Classic and runner-up at the prestigious and highly competitive
Show Roadster Division at the Gull Wing Group National Convention
in Palm Springs. It was also displayed at The Quail, A Motorsports
Gathering in Carmel Valley that same year. The current owner then
acquired the roadster in 2014.
Although the current owner acquired the car in otherwise excellent
condition, it was decided that the 300 SL deserved additional
attention paid to the mechanical aspects so that it would be highly
reliable for touring and not just showing. To that end, in 2014 the
300 SL was delivered to Automotive Restorations in Stratford,
Connecticut, for meticulous mechanical restoration. The company is
widely known and respected as one of the very best restoration
shops on the Eastern Seaboard for more than 40 years. The
restoration of the drivetrain was extremely comprehensive,
including a complete rebuild of the original inline six-cylinder
engine, extensive refurbishing and recalibration of the Bosch
mechanical fuel-injection system, refurbishing of the four-speed
manual transmission, rebuilding the brake system, front and rear
suspension rebuild, a tear-down and rebuild of the rear
differential, and much more. No expense was spared, and for which
there are numerous binders of paperwork and receipts that detail
the fastidious work performed, totaling over $200,000. After the
work was completed in 2016, the roadster was thoroughly tested,
driven, and properly sorted, resulting in a car that is extremely
reliable, performs flawlessly, and is a thrill to drive.
In addition to being mechanically superior and stunningly
attractive, this 300 SL roadster boasts a bevy of extras and
desirable optional equipment. Special features include European
headlights, factory hardtop, elegant wood-rimmed Nardi steering
wheel, Becker Mexico radio, and a splendid set of custom-trimmed
fitted luggage. Other items accompanying the car include a tool
kit, jack, first aid kit, engine bay work light, owner's manual,
Becker radio instruction manual, spare parts list and factory sales
brochure, as well as the aforementioned restoration receipts and
documents detailing all the expert work performed on this
exceptional Mercedes-Benz.
This 300 SL is perhaps the most roadworthy, highly detailed,
show-ready roadster available. The close attention to detail, the
thoroughness of the restoration, and the desire by the current
owner to ensure that this classic Mercedes-Benz drives as well as
it looks will instill confidence in the next caretaker of this
exceptional 300 SL who wishes to not only exhibit this car, but to
drive it as was always intended.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/am19.