Vehicle Description
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
• VIN 8500229
• Engine No. 8500232
• Body No. 8500228
• Transmission No. 8500233
• California car for the past 46 years
• Only 1,858 Roadsters were built from 1957 to 1963
One of 267 300SL Roadsters produced in 1958, this example was
subjected to a comprehensive restoration performed by renowned
300SL expert, Jon Cumpton. Finished in its original, stunning,
color scheme of White Gray (DB158) with Red leather upholstery,
this 300SL Roadster features a matching-numbers engine and
transmission. European delivery with European headlights and
factory hard top.
Per the 300SL registry, this Roadster was purchased new Germany and
was imported to the U.S. in the early 1970s. By 1976, it was sold
to Edward Hermes from Oakland California. In 1983, at 86,589 km,
the Roadster was sold to its subsequent owner, Steve Moore, who
resided in San Francisco, California. On April 21, 2006, the
Roadster was purchased by its current owner with 104,472 km. After
the acquisition, the current owner enjoyed his Roadster in its
original condition and drove it for over 2,559 km (approx.
1590mi.). In October of 2009, at 107,031 km, the current owner
commissioned Jon Cumpton to complete a comprehensive restoration.
The restoration process was approached with an open checkbook,
ensuring that no stone was left unturned. During the restoration,
the body was media blasted, sealed, primed, and repainted White
Gray (DB158). The frame was painted and the undercarriage was
completely detailed. The upholstered was finished in red leather
with a black canvas soft top. A new wiring harness was installed,
and all the gauges were sent out to West Valley Instrument
Specialists to be rebuilt. The suspension was completely rebuilt,
and re-bushed, with new shocks, installed. The braking system was
restored with a new brake booster and the original wheels were
sand-blasted and repainted per factory specifications. All original
hardware was used and cataloged, photographed, tumbled, and
recoated with black zinc. The brightwork was cataloged,
photographed, triple plated, and polished to show condition.
While the Roadster was being reassembled, the driveline was sent to
Van Nuys Sports Cars Inc where the driveline was rebuilt over two
years between (2011-2013) and over $58,510.78 was spent. The engine
was completely disassembled, and the crank was magnafluxed. New
main bearings were installed, and the connecting rods were rebuilt.
New pistons, valves, and cams were installed. The cylinder heads
were restored with new seats, valves, and valve guides. The engine
was reassembled back to factory specification. The transmission was
completely disassembled and rebuilt with all new synchros and
bearings. The oil and gas tanks were chemically stripped by L & M
stripping in Van Nuys, California. Every aspect of this 300SL was
addressed during its three-year restoration to bring it back to an
exceptional standard. It retains the correctly applied factory
inspection marks, clamps, hoses, and decals in the engine bay, and
it is truly stunning in every respect.
Due to meticulous care, the paintwork is in remarkable condition
with perfect fit and finish. The exterior features beautiful
brightwork, rare European headlights, and a factory Hardtop
finished in Grey with matching hub caps. The upholstery is in
pristine condition throughout with factory red leather seats with
matching door panels and dash. The factory steering wheel is
beautifully presented with a chrome horn ring and sits ahead of VDO
instrumentation and a factory Becker Mexico AM/FM radio. The radio
was converted to FM with the ability to connect to an iPod. The
vertical instrument cluster operates as it should and monitors
gasoline level, oil pressure, oil temperature, and water
temperature. The Hardtop and softtop are in outstanding condition
and fit evenly with a tight seal. The 5.5" x 15" KPZ wheels are
body-color centers fitted to Michelin XWX 205 75 VR 15 tires.
The number-matching 2,996cc 6-cylinder engine (M198) runs
phenomenally with just over 6,902 miles since the engine rebuild.
The 4-speed manual transmission shifts smoothly with a 4-wheel drum
braking system. Complete with Becker radio operation instructions,
Becker service manual, Mercedes-Benz service stations booklet,
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster owner's manual, and complete
documentation of the restoration including photographs.