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After a six-year production run, 1,858 examples of the 300SL Roadster were built. A handful of options were available, including Rudge wheels. It is believed that of the total roadster production, roughly 25 cars, accounting for just over 1-percent of total production, received Rudge wheels from new, making it the rarest specification of all.
This 300 SL Roadster is one of the few that was fitted with Rudge wheels from the factory. It was delivered in Light Ivory (DB 620) with red leather and was specified with a Becker 'Le Mans' radio. It was shipped to the United States and into the car of its first owner, Edward Rude of West Falls, Virginia. Mr. Rude kept the car for 32-years during which time the car accrued just 17,000 miles. In 1989, this low-mileage, original roadster was sold to its second owner, Don B. Britton of Los Angeles. Mr. Britton retained the car for 12 years before it was sold to Thomas Taffet in 2001. During Mr. Taffet's care, the car was given a complete restoration. At the time, the car had completed just 42,000 miles.
The car was disassembled and rebuilt per factory specifications. The original luggage was preserved, the interior trim was finished in red leather and red carpets, and the car was upgraded to Euro-specification headlamps. The exterior was finished in Midnight Blue (DB 904) and the top was trimmed in dark blue canvas.
In 2005, the car was selected to participate in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Tour d'Elegance. The 300SL was piloted by Sir Stirling Moss and granted the lead position. To document this honor, Sir Stirling signed the car's dash.
In 2008, the car was sold to another caretaker. Since that time, the car has been shown at the Quail, A Motorsport gathering where it won its class, receiving the Post War Sports Car Award.
In 2010, the car entered the care of its current owner.
This car has the Rudge-only hammer, tools, jack and a jack bag, original 'aircraft' type lap belts, Rudge wheels, radio, luggage, and many other accessories.
In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $1,000,000 - $1,300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,540,000 including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
This 300 SL Roadster is one of the few that was fitted with Rudge wheels from the factory. It was delivered in Light Ivory (DB 620) with red leather and was specified with a Becker 'Le Mans' radio. It was shipped to the United States and into the car of its first owner, Edward Rude of West Falls, Virginia. Mr. Rude kept the car for 32-years during which time the car accrued just 17,000 miles. In 1989, this low-mileage, original roadster was sold to its second owner, Don B. Britton of Los Angeles. Mr. Britton retained the car for 12 years before it was sold to Thomas Taffet in 2001. During Mr. Taffet's care, the car was given a complete restoration. At the time, the car had completed just 42,000 miles.
The car was disassembled and rebuilt per factory specifications. The original luggage was preserved, the interior trim was finished in red leather and red carpets, and the car was upgraded to Euro-specification headlamps. The exterior was finished in Midnight Blue (DB 904) and the top was trimmed in dark blue canvas.
In 2005, the car was selected to participate in the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Tour d'Elegance. The 300SL was piloted by Sir Stirling Moss and granted the lead position. To document this honor, Sir Stirling signed the car's dash.
In 2008, the car was sold to another caretaker. Since that time, the car has been shown at the Quail, A Motorsport gathering where it won its class, receiving the Post War Sports Car Award.
In 2010, the car entered the care of its current owner.
This car has the Rudge-only hammer, tools, jack and a jack bag, original 'aircraft' type lap belts, Rudge wheels, radio, luggage, and many other accessories.
In 2013, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company Auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $1,000,000 - $1,300,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $1,540,000 including buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
2013 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,000,000-USD $1,300,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,540,000
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL
(Data based on Model Year 1957 sales)
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198.042.7500473 Sold for USD$1,105,000 2024 Gooding & Co: Selections From The Mullin Collection Auction | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500510 Sold for USD$2,260,000 2024 Broad Arrow Auctions : Amelia | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198.042.7500348 Sold for USD$2,012,500 2024 Gooding : Amelia Island Concours | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster 'Outlaw' Chassis#: 198.042.7500282 Sold for USD$1,199,880 2023 RM Sothebys : Munich | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500115 Sold for USD$1,215,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Las Vegas | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 189.010.7500563 Sold for USD$1,050,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198.042.7500038 Sold for USD$1,600,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for USD$1,375,000 2022 Mecum Indy | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Chassis#: 198.040.7500064 Sold for USD$1,352,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500603 Sold for USD$1,655,000 2021 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 300SL1980427500532 Sold for USD$1,045,000 2021 Barrett-Jackson : Las Vegas | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198.042.7500178 Sold for USD$1,274,289 2021 RM Sothebys : Milan 2021 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for USD$907,500 2021 Mecum : Indy 2021 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500592 Sold for USD$1,066,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Sold for USD$1,210,000 2021 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis#: 198.040.7500027 Sold for USD$1,254,000 2020 Gooding : Geared Online | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198 042 7500518 Sold for USD$986,346 2020 Artcurial Motorcars : Monaco | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500094 Sold for USD$995,000 2020 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500397 Sold for USD$758,500 2020 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500594 Sold for USD$839,042 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris |
Mercedes-Benz 300SLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1980427500233 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $1,200,000 | $1,300,000 | $1,400,000 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1890107500563 | 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | $1,200,000 | $1,450,000 | $1,500,000 |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER | 198.042.7500654 | 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.7500385 | 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | $1,300,000 | $1,600,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.7500286 | 2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center | $1,850,000 | $2,200,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 7500115 | 2023 Mecum : Monterey | $1,050,000 | $1,450,000 | $1,650,000 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 2022 Mecum : Kissimmee | ||||
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.7500233 | 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | $1,100,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 2020 Mecum : Indy | ||||
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 198.042.7500532 | 2020 Bonhams : Scottsdale Arizona | $950,000 | $1,100,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.7500603 | 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,200,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster to SLS aluminium competition specifications | 1980427500220 | 2017 Bonhams : The Chantilly Sale | $1,500,000 | $2,500,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 198.042.7500299 | 2017 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198042-7500432 | 2016 Bonhams : Bond Street Auction | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER | 198042.7500251 | 2016 Bonhams : Quail Lodge | $1,150,000 | $1,350,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.7500378 | 2016 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | $950,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,300,000 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.7500188 | 2015 RM Sotheby's London Auction | $650,000 | $850,000 | |
1957 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SL ROADSTER | 198.042-7500270 | 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge Auction | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1980427500604 | 2015 Mecum : Monterey | $1,450,000 | $1,500,000 | $2,000,000 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL | 7500239 | 2015 Motostalgia Auction Indianapolis Brickyard | $1,750,000 | $2,000,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 7500604 | 2014 Mecum Monterey | $1,650,000 | $1,750,000 | $2,250,000 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 198.042.7500414 | 2012 RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Fla | $625,000 | $700,000 | $800,000 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Road Race Replica | 2011 Bonhams Classic California | $50,000 | $70,000 | ||
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.10.7500362 | 2010 Gooding and Company Pebble Beach Auctions | $575,000 | $650,000 | |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1980427500114 | 2006 Vintage Motor Cars in Arizona | $250,000 | $275,000 | $325,000 |
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2011 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 S Roadster Chassis#:WDD1994761M002017 Sold for $948,106 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
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1956 Porsche 356A 1500 GS Carrera Speedster Chassis#:82190 Sold for $935,000 2023 Mecum : Monterey | |
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
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