Vehicle Description
Any discussion of the greatest automobiles of all time must
certainly include the Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Initially conceived as a
purebred racing car, the 300SL "Gullwing" racked up victories
across Europe and the Americas and captured the attention of one
Max Hoffman, the official importer of Mercedes-Benz automobiles to
the USA.Faced with burgeoning demand from wealthy clients in the
critical US market, the ever-compelling Hoffman managed to persuade
the board of directors in Stuttgart to develop the 300SL for the
road. Quite remarkably, the road car remained faithful to the
original concept, retaining its complex tubular space frame chassis
designed by Rudolph Uhlenhaut, necessitating the signature
"gullwing" doors - and birthing an icon in the process. Despite its
eye-watering asking price of $11,000 in 1955, Mercedes-Benz shifted
1,400 Gullwing Coupes, making it a tremendous success.Clearly the
300 SL Coupe would be a hard act to follow yet the Roadster
version, introduced just three years later, succeeded in bettering
its closed cousin's already exemplary road manners. Built with
conventional doors, the 300 SL Roadster was first exhibited at the
Geneva Salon in May 1957 and was an immediate hit with the 1950s
'Jet Set' of royalty, actors, and socialites. The production of an
open 300 SL involved altering the cockpit area, where the
spaceframe was redesigned to permit lower sills for improved
access. At the same time the rear suspension was changed to
incorporate low-pivot swing axles.The Roadster's neutral steering
characteristics received fulsome praise from Road & Track in its
1958 road test: "With the low-pivot rear suspension and more
adhesive tyres, the car handles beautifully under all conditions.
This is a tremendous improvement over the gullwing models, which
had a tendency to oversteer rather violently if pressed too hard."
A 0-60mph time of 7.0 seconds and a top speed of 130mph were
recorded, making the 300 SL Roadster one of the fastest
convertibles of its time. R&T concluded: "There is no doubt
that the 300 SL roadster is a truly great dual-purpose sports car,
equally at home in traffic and the open road, or on the track",
words that remain equally true today.The 300 SL Roadster sold well
for a car that cost more than a Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder,
and would outlive the 300 SL Gullwing Coupe, which ceased
production in 1957, by several years. Roadster production ceased in
1963 after 1,858 cars had been built, some 70% being exported to
the USA, and today the model is both rare and highly sought
after.This fabulous 1959 roadster has just arrived, and more
details are coming soon. The car is a California Mille veteran, and
is finished in the iconic color scheme of red over black leather,
and features include a Becker Mexico radio and tool roll. A
complete description is forthcoming. Please call us for
details.Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
