1963 Mercedes-Benz Other for sale

The last run of the legendary 300 SL Roadster happened in January and February of 1963. Twenty-six cars would be built in those two monthsand#44; with the last six built in February. Chassis 3257 was completed the day before the factory closed on February 7th 1963and#44; making it the penultimate 300 SL. Being the second to last 300SL means that this car benefits from every improvement ever made to the 300SL platformand#44; including disc brakes and the very rareand#44; all-alloy engine featured only in the last 200 cars.

3257 was delivered from the factory in white with a red leather interiorand#44; and black convertible top. What makes this 300SLs early history immensely interesting is what happened to the car in 1963. Fresh from the factory it was sent to Mercedes in Salzburgand#44; Austria. Research indicates that the car did not sell on its initial outing and was returned to the factory for upgrades. Reasons might have been that this 300SL was rather unadornedand#44; and the new 230SL that had been released in 1963 was much more affordable.

The result of this return to Stuggart was a second build sheet for 3257. Obviously aimed for the US marketand#44; the car was fitted with sealed beam headlightsand#44; and then dressed up with a factory hardtopand#44; US spec Becker Grand Prix radioand#44; white wall tiresand#44; and gauges in English. Not a total conversion from Euro specand#44; the 300SL would retain its 3.64 rear endand#44; Euro steering columnand#44; and would have no rear DOT reflectors. The upgrades workedand#44; and 3257 would be sold on February 14 1964and#44; one of only three 300SLs sold in 1964.

The first known owner was Robert Lindsay of Spokaneand#44; Washington. The first repair order documenting his ownership dates to September 22and#44; 1967 when the car had only 19and#44;055 miles on the odometer. On January 2and#44; 1968and#44; at 19and#44;365 milesand#44; Lindsay had to replace the engine block and pistons. The new alloy block was an unstamped factory spare. This was incredibly common with the alloy block enginesand#44; as the design was not as thoroughly tested for stress before being released on the market. Several components were prone to fail and very few of the original engines still exist in any of those 200 Roadsters. Many were replaced and re-stamped with the correct number by the factory. Some received the last batch of numbered extra blocksand#44; but those ran out by 1964. It is incredibly rare to see an original engine tag on an unstamped blockand#44; as it is with 3257.

When Lindsay wanted to sell his car in late 1970and#44; it was purchased by Bill Sutherlandand#44; the owner of Sutherland-Marlow Inc.and#44; a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Spokane. His ownership was briefand#44; lasting only a yearand#44; but Sutherland used 3257 frequentlyand#44; putting almost 10and#44;000 miles on the car that year. His final repair order dates to November 24and#44; 1971 with an odometer reading of 28and#44;547 miles.

In December 1971and#44; 3257 was purchased by Mercedes-Benz dealerand#44; Phil Smart Sr. There are numerous repair orders from Smarts ownership at his dealership in Seattleand#44; WA. He fastidiously maintained the Roadsterand#44; and in 1977 a repair order documents removing chrome and rubber for painting and re-installing chrome and rubber after painting. The cars last recorded mileage under his ownership was in 1976 at 32and#44;635 miles.

Smart would keep the Roadster in his possession until the early 1980s. Long time car collector and entrepreneurand#44; Gordon Apkerand#44; got a call from Smarts bank offering him the 300SL along with four other collector cars in order to put Smarts dealerships business loan back on ratio. The one stipulation was that he had to pay for them all by 2pm. Apker countered with the provision that the bank had to deliver the cars to him. By 6pm