Vehicle Description
Mercedes-Benz replaced their famous 300SL "Gullwing" in 1957 with a
convertible version using a new lightweight tubular steel frame
design and fuel-injected 215 hp straight 6-cylinder engine. You
could order the roadster as a convertible, with soft-top only, a
coupe with a hardtop only, or with both soft- and hardtops.
Technologically improved, with more horsepower, a sportier
camshaft, significantly better rear suspension and doors that made
getting in and out a breeze. It was a huge success, outselling the
Gullwing by over 25 percent. In total, 1,858 300SL roadsters were
built, most of these ending up in the U.S. thanks to Mercedes-Benz
importer Max Hoffman in New York. The 300SL was the first
production car to use mechanical fuel injection. Borrowing
technology from Mercedes-Benz's highly successful racing team, the
300SL was lightweight, powerful and fun to drive. They are
considered by many to be the most important Mercedes-Benz ever
built. This 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster with both factory
hardtop and black soft-top is a matching-numbers example. A
desirable "big-drum-brake" car with sporty chromed wheels, this
roadster shows extremely well, having benefitted from an older
restoration. Paint and chrome show very little patina. Gull Wing
Group records indicate just three known owners; two in New Jersey
and, the most recent, a collector in Pennsylvania. Painted the
iconic Mercedes-Benz Fire Engine Red, with a dark gray interior,
chassis 9500027 was originally born with a cream leather interior.
The previous owner was a true car lover and collector, and this
300SL is a testament to his attention to detail and care for his
cars. It is accompanied by a copy of the factory Data Card and
offered with its original jack and spare wheel.
