top of page
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
RM Sotheby's

If you are interested in the content of this listing, please contact the Dealer. Contact details are indicated below in the section "Contact the Dealer." Should you require confidential support from SpeedHolics for your inquiry, kindly complete the section "I am Interested." This listing is provided by SpeedHolics solely for the purpose of offering information and resources to our readers. The information contained within this listing is the property of the entity indicated as the "Dealer." SpeedHolics has no involvement in the commercial transactions arising from this listing, and we will not derive any financial gain from any sales made through it. Furthermore, SpeedHolics is entirely independent from the "Dealer" mentioned in this listing and maintains no affiliation, association, or connection with them in any capacity. Any transactions, engagements, or communications undertaken as a result of this listing are the sole responsibility of the parties involved, and SpeedHolics shall bear no liability or responsibility in connection therewith. For more information, please refer to the "Legal & Copyright" section below.

SH ID

23-1025010

FEATURED BY SPEEDHOLICS

Sold

United Kingdom

Dealer

Engine number 198.980.7500289

 

Documents German Fahrzeugbrief

 

A striking 300 SL Roadster tastefully customised in an ‘Outlaw’ style

 

Subject to a €400,000 restoration by Lars Rombelsheim from 2016 to 2017

 

Retains its matching-numbers engine block

 

Benefits from upgrade to a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, high performance radiator, and other modern components

 

Fitted with chrome Rudge wheels and SLS-style sports seats

 

Accompanied by its colour-matched hardtop, a four-speed gearbox, bumpers, and other selected spare parts

This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster was destined for the United States and was delivered to New York on 3 October 1957 prior to being distributed by Studebaker Packard. It was finished in Graphite Grey over a matching Grey leather interior and Light Grey soft-top. The car is known to have passed through the hands of at least two US owners in 1973 and 1975, both based in California, before being acquired by the consignor in 2016 at auction as a restoration project and subsequently imported to Germany. While in the care of the consigning owner, the 300 SL was subject to a complete restoration at the hands of marque specialist Lars Rombelsheim from 2016 to 2017—documented by 10 invoices totalling more than €400,000—during which it was customised in an ‘Outlaw’ style. The bodywork was fully repaired and refinished without bumpers, the engine was rebuilt with a replacement cylinder head and converted to run on unleaded fuel, while other major mechanical components including the petrol tank, front and rear axles, and shock absorbers were all overhauled. The car was also upgraded with a five-speed ZF gearbox, front disc brakes, and converted for use with Rudge central-lock wheels, in addition to an uprated ignition system with a modern alternator and high-torque starter, and a switchable stainless-steel exhaust. Furthermore, a modern radiator and oil cooler were fitted along with an “R8” injection pump and injectors, while the US-spec 3.89:1 rear axle ratio was changed to a European-spec 3.64:1 for more comfortable cruising. The cabin, meanwhile, was outfitted with “SLS”-style seats made from aluminium, and the instrumentation was converted to European specification. A full list of all work carried out is available to view on file along with selected photographs of the restoration, while the 300 SL Roadster retains its matching-numbers engine block. The car is offered with a matching-colour hardtop in addition to a raft of spares removed from the car during its restoration, including a four-speed gearbox, re-trimmed seats, cylinder head, brake drums and stub axles, steering wheel, and bumpers (re-chromed prior to being stored). It is also accompanied by its original US title, and several invoices and insurance cards from its time in the United Sates. The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is one of the most accomplished sportscars of its generation and an icon of a glamorous era in automotive history. This example has been thoroughly restored and beautifully finished by a leading marque specialist at great expense, with a number of modern components—not least its five-speed manual gearbox—that only increase its usability. Tastefully customised, this 300 SL Roadster offers an elegant and refreshing take on one of the greatest automotive designs of all time.
Other Cars from
RM Sotheby's
Last Featured Cars
© All right reserved. Contents of this site are Intellectualy Property of their respective owners.

ABOUT SPEEDHOLICS

SpeedHolics is a modern editorial platform, made by sport cars lovers, for sport cars lovers. It exists to celebrate classic sports motoring culture, and to showcase the passion and ingenuity of so many hearts, minds and souls who made the motoring world what it is. We’ve spent our lives in love with performance classic cars and we know you have too. ​So we decided to build us a home on the Internet. Here, we can run free and share our passion, that's what we do.

CONTRIBUTORS

Ivan Alekseev (Senior Full Stack Engineer)
Alessandro Barteletti (Photojournalist)
Günter Biener (Photographer)

Sean Campbell (Senior Editor)
Paolo Carlini (Photographer, Journalist)
Stefano Ciccarelli (Managing Advisor)

Daniel Dimov (Internet Law & Copyright Attorney at law)

Alessandro Giudice (Automotive Journalist)

Massimo Grandi (Architect, Designer & Writer)
Markus Herzberg (Chief Executive Office)

Luigi Marmiroli (Engineer)

Mario Simoni (Automotive Journalist)

Paolo Martin (Designer)
Zbigniew Maurer (Designer)

Arturo Merzario (Racing Driver)
Gilberto Milano (Automotive Journalist)

Fabio Morlacchi (Motoring Historian & Editor)

Francesca Rabitti (Storyteller)

Andrea Ruggeri (Film Maker)

Tim Scott (Creative Director and Photographer)

Julie Wood (Translator & Editor)
Sansai Zappini (Paper Editions Art Director)

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • icons_linkedin_18_550

CONTACT US

Website photo credits: Günter Biener / Movendi

© 2024 by SpeedHolics Society, Bahnhofplatz, 1 8001 Zürich - CHE-359.870.844 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

bottom of page