Mercedes Benz Club Member

Vehicle Description

MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER (W 198)

Owner :Chris

History

With this 300 SL Roadster, it is our pleasure to introduce you to a vehicle from the Concours Edition that meets all the criteria of a collectable vehicle. The 300 SL Roadster (W 198) made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957. Being the successor to the 300 SL Gullwing was no easy task, as the super sports car with the characteristic, upward-opening doors had already become a legend. Technically, the Roadster was largely identical to the Coupé. The only aspect that was fundamentally different was the rear suspension, the 300 SL Roadster using a modified single-joint swing axle with a low pivot point.

Compared to the original swing axle of the Gullwing Coupé, the handling was significantly improved – greatly to the benefit of the vehicle and its occupants. During the six-year production period, some technical modifications were made, two of which are particularly noteworthy: in March 1961, the 300 SL was fitted with disc brakes on the front and rear wheels, while, from March 1962, a modified engine with a light-alloy block was used. From October 1958, a removable coupé roof was optionally available for an extra DM 1500. It could also be retrofitted. The main market for the 300 SL was actually the USA. Yet this Roadster was an exception, for which there was a special reason: on 21.10.1959 it was delivered for the Turin International Motor Show, where it went on show. According to our research, the more recent ownership history is as follows:

From 1988 Registered in North Rhine-Westphalia
2006 Acquired by Mercedes-Benz Classic
2007 Sold to the Persian Gulf region
2009 Acquired by Mercedes-Benz Classic with subsequent restoration
2017 Completion of restoration