1957 Mercedes-Benz Other for sale $995,000
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz Other $995,000 | |
| Car Ad from: Hemmings View Original Ad | |
| Price: | $995,000 |
| Contact: | View Original Ad from Hemmings |
| Location: | Emeryville, CA |
| Details: |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster s/n 198.042.7500568 Fire Engine Red with Tan Leather Interior The 300SL was one of the most exotic cars available when it was new. Directly descended from racing cars, and chock full of innovative features, they were fast, beautiful, and expensive. Arguably the first supercar ever (others claim that honor should be bestowed upon the Lamborghini Miura), the 300SL has been described as the McLaren F1 of its day. Thanks to Mercedes development work during World War II in aircraft engines, the300SL became the first production car to feature fuel injection (directly injected into the cylinders no less), and the light but strong spaceframe necessitated the now legendary and often copied upwards opening doors on the closed variant of the car. The result was a stunningly beautiful but also functional car that was, depending on gearing, the fastest production car in the world. Surrounded by separate frame carbureted contemporaries, the SL was truly a glimpse of the future and remains today a very special car indeed. Its appeal is timeless and consequently, 300SLs have remained blue-chip collector cars that are always in demand and perhaps even culturally embedded as one of the most iconic and greatest cars of all time. The roadster version was for many years overshadowed by the gullwing; however, as more savvy enthusiasts have become privy to the advantages of the roadster, their values are now catching up to those of the coupes. Indeed, the increased practicality of proper wind-up windows and doors, improved drivability from the revised rear suspension, and inimitable open air experience make the roadster a more enjoyable car to use than the gullwing. This 300SL Roadster was ordered new by the Belgian Mercedes-Benz importer, IMA, in US specification. Finished new in DB534 fire engine red, which it wears today, the car spent its early life in Europe before being imported to the United States where it belonged to a woman in New York during the 1970s, and a gentleman in Maryland in the 1980s. In approximately 2000, the car was sent to noted 300SL specialists Paul Russell and Company of Essex, Massachusetts after having been off the road for some time. At this time, the odometer showed only 24,151 kilometers. The car was made to run with a new battery, spark plugs and some fresh fuel, and a compression check indicated 150 to 157 psi on all six cylinders. A leakdown test indicated readings ranging from 5% to 24%, which was traced to a worn camshaft, and a complete engine overhaul was undertaken. Receipts from this work document various items including restoration of the starter, generator, fuel injection pump, and water pump. The fuel system was refreshed with the fuel tank, fuel pump and associated hoses all being restored or replaced as needed, while the cooling system was attended to with all new coolant hoses and a restored radiator. In addition to the above, a brand new wiring harness was fitted along with a new oil tank, while the power brake booster was rebuilt. In all, some $80,000 was spent to ensure the car would perform as intended. Today, the car runs well and is equipped with desirable factory hardtop finished in black. Having covered less than 100 kilometers a year since its mechanical overhaul, the Roadster has been carefully maintained with a brake service and tune-up in the last two years. Please note that the engine block boss is not stamped, indicating that this is likely a factory replacement block. Cosmetically, the car makes a strong impression. The red paintwork has remarkable intensity and is glossy, although it does show some blemishes including some cracks in the tops of the front fenders, a few surface imperfections, and bridging adjacent to the fender eyebrows. The body is straight with good gaps. The chrome is excellent, as are the lights and glass. The car is fitted with European headlamps. The hard top is |