1959 Mercedes-Benz

Rare hardtop

Data card colour combination

Matching transmission & differential

Mileage of only 29,400 km

One of 1,858 vehicles

Prominent ownership history

German registration

Appraisal

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

The roadster variant of the W198 II model series was produced from 1957 to 1963 and is considered one of the most elegant and technically sophisticated creations in the company's history. It was the open-top evolution of the legendary 300SL Coupé, which became world-famous with its gullwing doors. While the Coupe was primarily regarded as a road-legal racing car, the Roadster was designed from the outset to offer a combination of performance, driving comfort and stylish elegance. Technically, the 300 SL Roadster was largely based on the Coupe, but with numerous changes to the frame and chassis. To ensure the necessary rigidity despite the lack of a roof, the tubular frame was reinforced in the area of the doors and rear. This also made it possible to install conventional doors, which made access much more comfortable. Numerous body parts such as the bonnet, boot lid and doors were made of aluminium in order to keep the weight low despite additional reinforcements. The kerb weight was around 1,330 kilograms, only 35 kilograms more than the Coupe. Drive was provided by the familiar M198 in-line six-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2,996 cc and mechanical petrol injection. The engine produced 215 hp at 5,800 revolutions per minute and enabled a top speed of up to 250 kilometres per hour. Values that only a few production vehicles achieved in the late 1950s. The four-speed gearbox transmitted the power to the rear wheels, and the top speed varied depending on the gear ratio and equipment variant. Fuel consumption was around 12.5 litres per 100 kilometres, which was considered remarkably efficient considering the performance.

The chassis with independent front suspension and a newly developed single-joint swing axle at the rear ensured improved handling compared to the Coupe. This design increased driving stability, particularly when cornering, and was an important step towards comfort without compromising the car's sporty character. Disc brakes on the front axle were introduced as standard from 1961 and also set new standards in terms of safety. The interior of the 300 SL Roadster combined sporty functionality with luxurious appointments. The finest leather, chrome-plated details and a clear dashboard layout characterised the image. On request, the Roadster could be fitted with a removable hardtop, which transformed the car into an almost closed coupé. From 1957 to 1963, a total of 1,858 examples of the 300SL Roadster were built, making it rarer than the famous Gullwing. With its sophisticated chassis, high performance and successful combination of sportiness and elegance, the W198 II is considered a milestone in the history of Mercedes-Benz. It was the last vehicle of its kind to carry the spirit of the classic 300SL and at the same time marked the transition to a new era of luxurious sports cars. To this day, the 300SL Roadster is one of the brand's most coveted classics and symbolises technical perfection and timeless beauty.

About the vehicle offered here:

The history of this roadster began in November 1959 with its completion at the factory in the colour combination 534 fire engine red over black leather. According to the delivery note, the vehicle built to USA specification, but was first delivered to Madrid, Spain. Several years later, in 1975, it came into the possession of Lloyd Ikerd, who registered the car with the American Mercedes-Benz Roadster Club. Ikerd was a collector based in Long Beach, California, who had also owned prototypes of the legendary 300SL. A few years later, the W198 II presumably came into the hands of entrepreneur Bill Harrah, who was the founder of today's ‘Caesars Entertainment’ and owned an impressive collection of over 1,000 vehicles. To manage the collection, Harrah hired over 100 employees who, among other things, carried out full restorations of his vehicles, for which the price was irrelevant. According to Scott Grundfor, this 300SL Roadster was restored there in the early 1980s. It can be assumed that after Bill Harrah's death, the vehicle was sold to his close friend and famous comedian Bill Cosby. In 1986, the original engine was replaced due to engine damage. The original gearbox and differential are still fitted today. Cosby's long-standing ownership is documented by an entry in the Mercedes-Benz Roadster Club, based in Santa Monica, California, in 2007. During its ownership, renowned specialists such as Scott Grundfor and the Boston Sports Car Company looked after the collector's item.

In December 2012, the 300SL was offered for sale by the dealer Paul Russel and Company with a mileage of just under 20,000 kilometres. A year later, it finally made its way to Germany into the hands of Mechatronik, where it was offered for sale in 2014 and exhibited at the Retro Classics motor show in Stuttgart, among other events. The mileage at the time was 20,750 km. As part of the subsequent sale to the owner from Leonberg, an appraisal was carried out, which rated the condition as 2+. After several years of use, during which the vehicle was used in various classic car rallies, the enthusiast decided to sell the vehicle back to Mechatronik in 2021 with a mileage of 29,250 km. For the following years, the roadster was stored as part of the Mechatronik collection without being driven much. During this time, a further appraisal was carried out in March 2023. Today, the red 300SL Roadster is being offered for sale again in its original colour combination including a rare hardtop and prominent owner history with a mileage of 29,400 km. Our sales staff will be happy to answer any detailed questions you may have. Please note that vehicle viewings are only possible by prior appointment.