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Details
The very first production built
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER
Chassis No. 75000037
Engine No. 7500081
Serial No. 7500001
Fire engine red with black leather interior and black canvas soft top
Engine: six cylinder, in-line, Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 2,996cc., 240bhp at 5,800rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual synchromesh; Suspension: independent front and rear; Brakes: Alfin hydraulic drums. Left hand drive.
Mercedes bounced back from war time ruin with a sports car in the early 1950s called the SL - 'SL' for Super Light. The first 300 SL race cars were victorious whenever they competed, including in Carrera Panamerica road races in Mexico and in European road racing. Production for the 300 SL began in 1954 in Gullwing coupe form only. In 1957, a roadster was finally offered as a companion model and the Gullwing was soon phased out.
The roadster's lines recalled the famed straight eight powered 300 SLR race car. The first 300 SL roadsters brought to America were successful in racing - Paul O'Shea won an SCCA class championship with one. In contrast to the Gullwing coupe, the roadster had the low pivot rear suspension that made it far more comfortable and enjoyable to drive, especially when driven to the limit.
The roadster actually featured wind-up windows and a folding soft top thereby making it more a convertible than a pure open top driver. It was debuted at the Geneva Show in the Spring of 1957. Externally similar to the existing and highly successful hard top 'Gullwing' coupe, the new roadster featured a higher compression ratio and a mild competition camshaft. The multi-tube frame was redesigned to retain rigidity and also to allow lower cut doors to open in the familiar manner. Slightly heavy, the car was more powerful than the coupe and for the US market the rear axle ratio was changed to 3.89:1 allowing for a maximum 137mph. Other new changes included a revised instrument panel with the auxiliary instruments relocated between the speedometer and tachometer as well as a new headlight design incorporating the main beams, fog lights and turn lights all in one unit. The 300SL roadster was greeted to much acclaim by road testers and the public alike, and despite a huge retail price (which in America was $10,970 list in 1957) the new Mercedes sold well from the outset.
This example is particularly significant as it is the very first production example of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster and accordingly carries chassis number 75000037 with engine number 7500081 and body serial number 7500001. The chassis number and ownership history actually appear among the Gullwings in the Gullwing Register as the car was completed in early 1957 before the final 39 Gullwings were ready. Originally intended as a vehicle for display and promotion, the car was eventually sold to a private customer.
As the first of its kind, this roadster has many unique features which include the unusual interior trim design of two-tone black leather seats and door trim with contrasting red piping. Many of the trim items are also one-of-a-kind such as the hand made dual chrome door grab handles.
For many years the car belonged to Mr. W. Coombs of Southern California who in 1981 approached respected marque specialist Scott Restoration in Panorama City, CA to inspect the car with a view to having it completely restored. At that time the cost of restoration was deemed too high, but seven years later Mr. Coombs decided to sell the roadster and the restoration was started. After several more new owners, the car was completed in 1997 under the Scott Grundfor Co.'s supervision to its present excellent condition. Throughout the changes in ownership, one important fact remained constant - the car is historically important and had to be restored to the highest standard of authenticity and craftsmanship. During the restoration the body was removed from the chassis and everything was stripped to bare metal. All mechanical components were carefully checked and tested and rebuilt as necessary to original specification. The overall cost of the restoration has been over $250,000 and the result is a car presented in superb condition. Painted Daimler Benz color code 534 fire engine red, it has correct black leather interior with red accent piping, a black German canvas convertible top and dark grey German square weave carpeting. It is fitted with period Michelin 'X Stop' 6:70 x 15 tires. Since finishing the restoration the car has driven zero miles, having been maintained and stored in a temperature controlled museum environment.
This first production 300SL roadster is indeed a significant milestone car in the history of Mercedes-Benz road going sports cars.
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER
Chassis No. 75000037
Engine No. 7500081
Serial No. 7500001
Fire engine red with black leather interior and black canvas soft top
Engine: six cylinder, in-line, Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 2,996cc., 240bhp at 5,800rpm; Gearbox: four speed manual synchromesh; Suspension: independent front and rear; Brakes: Alfin hydraulic drums. Left hand drive.
Mercedes bounced back from war time ruin with a sports car in the early 1950s called the SL - 'SL' for Super Light. The first 300 SL race cars were victorious whenever they competed, including in Carrera Panamerica road races in Mexico and in European road racing. Production for the 300 SL began in 1954 in Gullwing coupe form only. In 1957, a roadster was finally offered as a companion model and the Gullwing was soon phased out.
The roadster's lines recalled the famed straight eight powered 300 SLR race car. The first 300 SL roadsters brought to America were successful in racing - Paul O'Shea won an SCCA class championship with one. In contrast to the Gullwing coupe, the roadster had the low pivot rear suspension that made it far more comfortable and enjoyable to drive, especially when driven to the limit.
The roadster actually featured wind-up windows and a folding soft top thereby making it more a convertible than a pure open top driver. It was debuted at the Geneva Show in the Spring of 1957. Externally similar to the existing and highly successful hard top 'Gullwing' coupe, the new roadster featured a higher compression ratio and a mild competition camshaft. The multi-tube frame was redesigned to retain rigidity and also to allow lower cut doors to open in the familiar manner. Slightly heavy, the car was more powerful than the coupe and for the US market the rear axle ratio was changed to 3.89:1 allowing for a maximum 137mph. Other new changes included a revised instrument panel with the auxiliary instruments relocated between the speedometer and tachometer as well as a new headlight design incorporating the main beams, fog lights and turn lights all in one unit. The 300SL roadster was greeted to much acclaim by road testers and the public alike, and despite a huge retail price (which in America was $10,970 list in 1957) the new Mercedes sold well from the outset.
This example is particularly significant as it is the very first production example of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster and accordingly carries chassis number 75000037 with engine number 7500081 and body serial number 7500001. The chassis number and ownership history actually appear among the Gullwings in the Gullwing Register as the car was completed in early 1957 before the final 39 Gullwings were ready. Originally intended as a vehicle for display and promotion, the car was eventually sold to a private customer.
As the first of its kind, this roadster has many unique features which include the unusual interior trim design of two-tone black leather seats and door trim with contrasting red piping. Many of the trim items are also one-of-a-kind such as the hand made dual chrome door grab handles.
For many years the car belonged to Mr. W. Coombs of Southern California who in 1981 approached respected marque specialist Scott Restoration in Panorama City, CA to inspect the car with a view to having it completely restored. At that time the cost of restoration was deemed too high, but seven years later Mr. Coombs decided to sell the roadster and the restoration was started. After several more new owners, the car was completed in 1997 under the Scott Grundfor Co.'s supervision to its present excellent condition. Throughout the changes in ownership, one important fact remained constant - the car is historically important and had to be restored to the highest standard of authenticity and craftsmanship. During the restoration the body was removed from the chassis and everything was stripped to bare metal. All mechanical components were carefully checked and tested and rebuilt as necessary to original specification. The overall cost of the restoration has been over $250,000 and the result is a car presented in superb condition. Painted Daimler Benz color code 534 fire engine red, it has correct black leather interior with red accent piping, a black German canvas convertible top and dark grey German square weave carpeting. It is fitted with period Michelin 'X Stop' 6:70 x 15 tires. Since finishing the restoration the car has driven zero miles, having been maintained and stored in a temperature controlled museum environment.
This first production 300SL roadster is indeed a significant milestone car in the history of Mercedes-Benz road going sports cars.