HardTop Coupe
Chassis #: 198.042.10.003254
Engine #: 198.982.10.000224
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster was introduced in March of 1975. It brought with it many mechanical advancements and stylistic revisions as it moved to a new open-top version of the popular 300 SL Coupe. Notably was a new rear-axle design which improved handling. A modified frame allowed for conventionally hinged doors, disc brakes were added in 1961, and aluminum engine blocks were added in 1962. A total of 1,858 Roadsters were built but just 210 of those had the aluminum engine blocks. Production came to a close in February of 1963. Just 26 Roadsters were built in 1963.This particular example is one of six examples built in February of 1963. It is the fifth-from-last car assembled, and the latest-built car sold new to the American market.This Roadster was completed on February 4th of 1963 and finished in White (DB 50) and trimmed with red leather. Its first owner was Mercedes Pollack, who had been born in Cuba as Mercedes de la Torre y Alcoz. She later married Mark Pollack, the second son of a wealthy American who was one of the largest exporters of Cuban tobacco. By the time of the Batista regime's overthrow, Mr. Pollack had accumulated an impressive collection that included a 1924 Bugatti Type 22 Brescia, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, an early 300 SL Roadster finished in white paint over a red interior, and three Ferraris.
In 1959, Fidel Castro's communist revolutionaries took over Cuba and the Pollacks fled La Mansión, leaving their car collection. They took up residency in Geneva, Switzerland, and Tryon, North Carolina. Mercedes Pollack learned about the 300 SL model while traveling through the principality of Andorra in August 1963. She quickly contacted the factory and inquired about purchasing a Roadster. She purchased the last on available. Her purchase contract through the Establecimientos Pyrenees Casa Perez in Andorra shows a price of $6,500, a considerable discount of the general list price of $11,500. She received the car in August of 1963 and quickly returned it to the factory for full implementation of options. It was given chrome sport wheels, dual side mirrors, a Becker Grand Prix radio with Hirschmann antenna, a spotlight, factory competition seat belts, and a set of Hepco luggage. The factory fitted the trunk lid with a unique luggage rack that was paired with a piece of Karl Baisch luggage from a Gullwing. The headlamps were converted to US specifications.
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Mercedes-Benz
2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,800,000-USD $2,200,000
Sale Price :
USD $2,530,000
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
(Data based on Model Year 1963 sales)
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003255 Sold for USD$3,085,000 2021 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours Auction | |
1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198.042.10.003243 Sold for USD$1,282,264 2021 Gooding & Company : European Sporting & Historic Collection | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster with Factory Hardtop Chassis#: 198042-10-003245 Sold for USD$1,133,463 2020 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003116 Sold for USD$1,930,000 2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003254 Sold for USD$2,530,000 2018 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | ![]() ![]() |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198 042 10 003222 Sold for USD$3,694,839 2018 Artcurial : LeMans Classic | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for USD$1,200,000 2017 Auctions America : Fort Lauderdale | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003123 Sold for USD$1,275,000 2015 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003135 Sold for USD$1,410,640 2015 RM Auctions - Paris | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003170 Sold for USD$1,512,500 2014 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach Concours | |
1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198042.10.003174 Sold for USD$1,815,000 2014 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | |
1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003207 Sold for USD$2,035,000 2014 Gooding & Company - Amelia Island Sale | ![]() |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003142 Sold for USD$1,622,500 2013 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 198042.10.003202 Sold for USD$1,430,000 2013 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Auction | ![]() |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.10.003228 Sold for USD$1,595,000 2012 Gooding and Company - Pebble Beach Auction | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Sold for USD$396,000 2006 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction | ![]() ![]() |
1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL CONVERTIBLE Chassis#: 198.042-10-003239 Sold for USD$330,000 2006 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2006 |
Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.10.003135 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | $1,400,000 | $1,600,000 | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.10.003228 | 2019 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | $1,750,000 | $2,250,000 | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.10.003170 | 2018 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale, Az. | $1,600,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 19804210003123 | 2016 Rick Cole : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,600,000 | |
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300sl Roadster | 19804210003219 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $1,500,000 | $1,900,000 | $2,200,000 |
1963 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER | 19804210003191 | 2014 Mecum Monterey | $1,750,000 | $2,200,000 | $2,500,000 |
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1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
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