Vehicle Description
1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
VIN: 198 042 10002637
In 1961, only two years after becoming the 49th state, Alaska took
delivery of its first and only 300 SL. The roadster must have been
an exotic sight sitting on the show room floor of Anchorage
Studebaker, Packard, Mercedes-Benz. The lucky man who drove away
with the rare treasure was Dr. William Sedwick. For the next 42
years the car would make a welcome fair weather traveling companion
through the beautiful Alaska countryside for Dr. Sedwick and his
wife, driving the 65 miles from Anchorage to their summer vacation
home on Nancy Lake.
It is believed that early during Sedwick's ownership that the
original cast-iron engine failed and a factory replacement was
installed. The replacement engine would be the more advanced,
aluminum block version of the W198 engine that came out in 1962.
This engine change would give the Roadster the same lighter front
end, improved handling, and higher performance that is shared with
the final 210 roadsters from late 1962-1963.
In 2003, after only 45,000 miles, the car moved on to a new owner,
Gordon Apker of Seattle, Washington. Mr. Apker enjoyed the 300 SL
for one year before deciding to press forward with a complete
concourse restoration. That daunting task fell on the renowned 300
SL restorer Rudi Koniczek of Victoria, British Columbia.
Over the next 3 years Rudy & Company completed a meticulous,
nut-and-bolt, 100-point restoration. The body was removed from the
chassis so that every part of the car could be properly addressed.
It was discovered during this step that the car was remarkably rust
and corrosion free.
The decision was made that the bare metal refurbishment would be
finished in Weissgrau (white-grey) with a complementing darker
shade on the rare factory hardtop. Completing the look are the
European headlights, dark green leather interior, factory soft-top,
and matching luggage. Undoubtedly one of the most elegant color
combinations, the result is absolutely spectacular.
During the restoration it was noted that this Roadster was equipped
with the sought-after, high performance drum brakes. The full
floating, twin cylinder, steel shoe design was a significant
improvement to the earlier single cylinder design, and was the
ultimate development of the Mercedes drum brake, which set new
standards of effectiveness and reliability. Many a seasoned 300 SL
owner will say they prefer the tried-and-true drum brakes to the
relatively untested technology of the early discs, especially for
extended events such as the Colorado Grand or the Copperstate
1000.
In 2010 the 300 SL changed hands once again to Terry Rafiah, owner
of Mercedes-Benz Baltimore and Wilmington, Delaware. A collector of
numerous 300 SLs over the past decade, Mr. Rafiah knew exactly what
he was looking for and found it in this exceptional Roadster.
Once the car arrived at Canepa it was fully sorted, and
mechanically and cosmetically inspected. During this process it was
decided to upgrade the car to Rudge style wheels, which includes
the front hubs, rear axles, drums, knock off caps, spare wheel
carrier, and the center lock wheels painted to match the beautiful
Weissgau color of the body. Total cost of the upgrade was around
$50k. To finalize the car's sorting Bruce Canepa took this
exceptional 300SL on a three-day driving tour of Northern
California's wine country where the car performed flawlessly.
With the 300 SL a must-have on many collectors' lists, finding a
roadster that has been restored and finished to such a high
standard truly represents an opportunity not to be missed. The car
comes complete with its original set of manuals and tools.
