THE Mercedes-Benz 300 SL series remains one of the most iconic sports cars of the 20th century.
Developed under the guidance of engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, the W194 300 SL sports-racer emerged in the early 1950s as a breakthrough in design and performance.
This was followed by the dominant W196 R grand prix car and the W196 S sports-racing sibling, better known as the 300 SLR.
These successes fueled the demand for a production version – the W198 300 SL Gullwing (1954-1957) and its successor, the 300 SL Roadster (1957-1963).
While the Gullwing is revered for its dramatic looks and competition pedigree, the Roadster marked a more refined and technically advanced evolution.
It featured improvements such as a revised rear suspension, a competition-derived camshaft, front-hinged doors, and increased trunk space, making it more suitable for grand touring.
The pinnacle of 300 SL development came in 1962, when the Roadster was equipped with an aluminum-block version of the 3.0-litre inline-six engine (type 198.982), reducing weight by about 70 pounds and improving thermal efficiency.
Paired with disc brakes introduced a year earlier, the aluminum-engine Roadsters offered enhanced agility and driving dynamics.
Only 209 of these final-spec cars were built, and roughly 100 are believed to retain their original alloy engines, which require expert care.
Chassis number 003099, being offered for sale by RM Sotheby’s, is a particularly rare and well-preserved example of the alloy-block disc-brake Roadsters.
Completed in July 1962, it was finished in a unique DB 571 Dunkelrot Metallic – a colour not officially offered at the time. It is believed to be the only 300 SL Roadster originally painted in this shade, further elevating its desirability.
Originally delivered to Josef Wernle, a Swiss furniture manufacturer, the car was specified for the European market with kilometre-based instruments and European-style headlamps.
It featured cream leather upholstery, brown carpeting, and a black soft top. Wernle owned the car for 20 years before selling it in 1982 to Peter Klein, a notable German collector who would keep it for nearly three decades.
During Klein’s stewardship, the Roadster underwent a comprehensive restoration by Kienle Automobiltechnik in the late 1990s.
The original alloy engine was rebuilt, the chassis and drivetrain refurbished, and the body refinished in DB 180 Silver-Grey Metallic. The interior was retrimmed in period-correct Roser red leather, with matching carpet and a new soft top.
Upgrades were added for modern touring use, including brighter headlights, hazard lights, aviation-style lap belts, and an extra cooling fan.
In 2021, the car was acquired by a California-based enthusiast and imported to the U.S., where it was maintained by Mercedes-Benz expert Scott Grundfor. It performed flawlessly in the 2023 Colorado Grand rally.
Still retaining its matching-numbers alloy engine, original rear axle, and a correct-type gearbox, this 300 SL comes with a hard top, tools, manuals, fitted luggage, and extensive documentation.
It represents a rare opportunity to own one of the finest and most desirable 300 SL Roadsters ever built.
Source: rmsothebys.com
