Vehicle Description
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
VIN: 1980427500190
Click here to view high resolution photos
https://www.flickr.com/gp/149927902@N02/Zh3M8011sG
<font size = "4">Extremely original 300SL example, fully
restored
Numbers matching body, engine, and transmission
Original factory Mercedes-Benz hardtop
Beautiful combination of Mercedes-Benz Anthracite Grey Metallic
(Anthrazit Grau DB172), over Light Grey leather interior
Very rare European-spec headlights
<font size = "4">One of 1,858 examples ever built
worldwide
Complete engine rebuild and tuning by former Hjeltness Restoration
engine builder
Recent major mechanical restoration performed by 300SL experts
Hjeltness Restoration, including transmission rebuild, brake system
rebuild, valve and timing chain adjustment
3.0L inline 6 Bosch fuel-injected engine, 240HP, 217lb-ft of
torque, 4-speed manual transmission
Includes fitted luggage, books, tool kit, jack, spare
wheel/tire
How does a successful automotive company like Mercedes-Benz
innovate the critically-acclaimed 300SL Gullwing? By removing the
roof, of course. After 3 years of production of the 300
SLR-inspired road car, Mercedes-Benz began the second stage of the
300SL, releasing the Roadster to the world. Keeping the dramatic
long hood at the front but massaging the rear to incorporate a
newly-developed soft top and hardtop, the 300SL Roadster now had
unlimited headroom for taller occupants. Sold from 1957 until 1963,
it was considered a monumental success for Mercedes-Benz not only
in terms of sales, but establishing the brand as a premiere luxury
sports car builder. With only 1,858 examples ever built, the 300SL
Roadster is a very rare automobile and one of the most beautiful
designs crafted out of Sindelfingen, Germany.
The Roadster acquired several updates in comparison to the Gullwing
which all led to a more enjoyable driving experience. The
drivetrain received notable upgrades in quality and performance,
such as the 300SL Roadster 3.0L engine being upgraded to 240
horsepower from the Gullwing's 212 horsepower due to the innovative
Bosch fuel injection system vs. carburetors. The transmission of
the Gullwing had semi straight-cut gears in its 4-speed
transmission, more like a race car but had a distinctive whine
while driving. The Roadster on the other hand gained a fully
synchronized 4-speed manual transmission which was much quieter and
smoother. Other improvements included a lowered rear axle for
better handling, a lower sill in the interior for easier ingress
and egress, and in general practicality improvements.
This 1957 300SL Roadster has a unique story, remaining in the same
family for over 50 years and then recently having a stunning
restoration performed on it from a detail-oriented caretaker and
critically-acclaimed architect, Jonathan Segal.
The 300SL was first registered in March of 1958 to John D. Ryan of
Ramsey, Montana and subsequently to Dr. John Gans of Morenci,
Arizona before making its way to its 50+ year longtime caretaker,
Merlin D. Peay, D.D.S.
Merlin Deeon Peay graduated from Clifton High School at 17 years
old and went immediately into the U.S. Navy during WWII. After
completing his service, he attended and graduated from the
University of Arizona in Pharmacy, eventually graduating from the
University of Missouri Kansas City School of Dentistry at the top
of his class. As part of maybe a graduate gift to himself, this
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL made its way to him in the early 1960s,
with his first service record showing the summer of 1963,
indicating 32,153 miles on the odometer.
Peay attended and graduated from the Baylor College of Orthodontics
in Dallas, Texas in 1966, where he likely used the 300SL as his
primary vehicle in commuting. He was not worried about using the
300SL as intended, indicated by the April 11th, 1966 service
receipt with an odometer indicating 57,680 miles! By September of
1970, records indicate Peay had accumulated over 88,000 miles on
the odometer.
Merlin had a penchant for things fast, which could be assumed by
the next logical step after one of the world's greatest sports
cars: a pilot's license. Famously known within his community as
"The Flying Orthodontist", he regularly commuted in his personal
plane back and forth from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico to
Gallup, New Mexico for 26 years, a 4 hour and 260-mile round trip
by car, and retired from Orthodontics in 1998. When renewing his
Gullwing Group membership, his application indicated that in 1998
the 300SL roadster had 105,000 miles on the odometer.
In December of 2013 Merlin passed away at the age of 87, leaving
his beloved 300SL roadster to his wife, Darla. After a few months
she decided it was time for the 300SL to find another caretaker who
would enjoy the car as much as her late husband, and in early 2014
it was on its way to San Diego, California to critically-acclaimed
architect and car restorer, Jonathan Segal FAIA.
A caretaker of fine automobiles with an incredible sense of design
through his work as an acclaimed architect, Jonathan Segal knew the
300SL Roadster had found the right home as a part of his
collection. Meticulous, detail-oriented, and passionate with all of
his vehicles, he enjoyed having them at their peak performance and
in excellent condition, maintained by his personal in-house
mechanic.
Segal, known for his penchant of historic Masteratis, is not what
you call an average collector. In the last 5 years alone, he took
home a mind-boggling 9 awards from concourse shows, many with
different cars and all restored under his supervision. These awards
include Best of Show at the 2024 Concours of Elegance in Hampton
Court Palace of the U.K. with his restored Maserati A6GCS Frua
Spider, Best in Class at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
in Postwar Touring with his 1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Ghia
Supergioiello Coupe, and 4 design awards at the Pebble Beach
Concours d'Elegance over multiple years. In an interview with
Residential Design, Segal describes how he enjoys the one-off
nature of many of his cars, disassembling cars apart alongside his
son and learning how the cars were built, appreciating the
craftsmanship as they restore cars together.
Driving the 300SL around San Diego, Segal had a number of service
items performed over the years by a variety of mechanical artisans.
Hjeltness Restoration, famously known for their 300SL restorations,
did a significant amount of work to restore the performance of the
Roadster. This work at Hjeltness included completely rebuilding the
4-speed manual transmission, removing the existing fuel tank
internal surface and recoating it, relining and arcing the brake
shoes, installing new rear axle boots and four shocks, rebuilding
the power brake diaphragm, installing new sway bar rubbers, adding
a new clutch, disc and throw out bearing, resurfacing the flywheel,
replacing muffler hangers, installing a new V-belt rear
transmission mount, replacing shifter bushings, rebuilding the
mechanical fuel delivery pump for the injection unit, updating and
rebuilding the cross shaft linkage assembly, replacing the fuel
injection pump vacuum diaphragm and adjusting the mixture on pump
and throttle body. This mechanical work was done in preparation for
the Colorado Grand, ensuring that the 300SL was ready for the long
drive ahead to be enjoyed.
Towards the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020, Segal had
started thinking of the idea of cosmetically restoring the 300SL to
a new period-correct color specification, Ant...for more
information please contact the seller.
