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American Mercedes-Benz importer Max Hoffman wanted a road-legal version of the W194 racer and felt it would be profitable in the United States. Thankfully, his wish was granted. The vehicle that followed had a chassis designed directly from lessons learned in campaigning the W194. The 300 SL was the first production automobile that had a fuel injection system as opposed to carburation, which was a technological advancement that allowed it to become the fastest street-legal car of its day.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL made its debut at the 1954 New York Auto Show. May Hoffman wanted an open version from the very beginning, and after the success of the Coupe, a convertible version of the 300 SL was released. Since the 300 SL would lose its top, engineers reinforced and modified the space-frame chassis to fit conventionally hinged doors, which allowed for greater ease of entry by lowering the height of the chassis on the door line. Other slight changes were made to the 300 SL's body, including new headlights, a smaller grille opening, and dual chrome strips on the side sills.
The Roadster made its debut in 1957. In order to keep the performance on par with the Coupe, the Roadsters were given the NSL engine of the Coupe as standard configuration. This gave the roadster a top speed that ranged from 133 to 155, depending on the final drive ratio specified. Production on the Roadster and the W198 platform stopped in early 1963, with 1,858 examples being produced.
This 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is finished in Mercedes-Benz Light Blue (DB 334) over a red (1079) leather interior, which is the original color of this car. The car was destined for the North American market, but it found its way to the home of a collector in the Netherlands. The car has been completely restored to its original color combination; during that time, the European headlights were added. After the work was completed, the roadster was repatriated to the United States by a Texan collector.
While in the care of the current owner, it was given another restoration.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL made its debut at the 1954 New York Auto Show. May Hoffman wanted an open version from the very beginning, and after the success of the Coupe, a convertible version of the 300 SL was released. Since the 300 SL would lose its top, engineers reinforced and modified the space-frame chassis to fit conventionally hinged doors, which allowed for greater ease of entry by lowering the height of the chassis on the door line. Other slight changes were made to the 300 SL's body, including new headlights, a smaller grille opening, and dual chrome strips on the side sills.
The Roadster made its debut in 1957. In order to keep the performance on par with the Coupe, the Roadsters were given the NSL engine of the Coupe as standard configuration. This gave the roadster a top speed that ranged from 133 to 155, depending on the final drive ratio specified. Production on the Roadster and the W198 platform stopped in early 1963, with 1,858 examples being produced.
This 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is finished in Mercedes-Benz Light Blue (DB 334) over a red (1079) leather interior, which is the original color of this car. The car was destined for the North American market, but it found its way to the home of a collector in the Netherlands. The car has been completely restored to its original color combination; during that time, the European headlights were added. After the work was completed, the roadster was repatriated to the United States by a Texan collector.
While in the care of the current owner, it was given another restoration.By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2014
2014 RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona
Sale Price :
USD $1,045,000
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL
(Data based on Model Year 1958 sales)
1958 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER Chassis#: 198.042.7500669 Sold for USD$885,000 2023 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500277 Sold for USD$1,040,093 2023 RM Sothebys : Villa Erba | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500302 Sold for USD$1,380,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500400 Sold for USD$1,820,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500081 Sold for USD$1,077,500 2022 Bonhams : The Audrain Concours Auction | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500570 Sold for USD$1,039,000 2022 Bonhams : The Quail Auction | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198042-7500168 Sold for USD$1,068,916 2022 Artcurial : Le Mans Classic | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500137 Sold for USD$1,035,821 2022 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500102 Sold for USD$923,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction | |
1958 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL ROADSTER WITH HARDTOP Chassis#: 8500255 Sold for USD$1,004,094 2020 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500087 Sold for USD$863,425 2020 RM : The European Sale featuring the Petitjean Collection | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500284 Sold for USD$1,028,000 2020 Bonhams : Amelia Island Concours | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500669 Sold for USD$940,000 2020 Gooding & Company : Scottsdale Arizona | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 1980428500295 Sold for USD$1,072,500 2018 Mecum : Monterey | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: RD80428500215 Sold for USD$1,130,446 2018 Silverstone Auctions : Silverstone Classic Sale | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500154 Sold for USD$1,072,500 2018 Gooding & Co. : Amelia Island | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Sold for USD$1,407,500 2017 RM Sotheby's : Icons | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500327 Sold for USD$1,263,902 2017 Bonhams : The Spa Classic Sale | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500286 Sold for USD$957,000 2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.8500154 Sold for USD$1,265,000 2016 RM Sothebys : Arizona |
Mercedes-Benz 300SLs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster with Hardtop | 198.042 8500279 | 2023 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | $1,100,000 | $1,400,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1980427500456 | 2023 Mecum : Monterey | $1,300,000 | $1,650,000 | $1,850,000 |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198 042 85 00 155 | 2023 Artcurial : Le Mans Classic | $1,200,000 | $1,500,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.8500083 | 2023 RM Sothebys : Sealed Bid | |||
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | $1,400,000 | $1,900,000 | $2,100,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.8500232 | 2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach | $1,000,000 | $1,250,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 1980042-8500067 | 2019 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042.8500289 | 2019 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster | 198.042 8500282 | 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | $1,100,000 | $1,300,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL roadster | 1980427500328 | 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | $1,000,000 | $1,200,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 2018 Mecum : Kissimmee | $950,000 | |||
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 2017 Mecum : Las Vegas | $1,000,000 | |||
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 198.042-8500212 | 2015 Bonhams : The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale | $800,000 | $1,000,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1980428500091 | 2013 Coys Blenheim Palace | $400,000 | $450,000 | |
1958 Mercedes 300SL Roadster | 198-042-10-002405 | 2013 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | $450,000 | $500,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 19804275500650 | 2011 RM Auctions London | $627,900 | $360,000 | $400,000 |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 7500690 | 2010 RM Auctions Automobiles of London | $325,000 | $325,000 | $375,000 |
1958 Mercedes Benz 300 SL | 198.042.8500298 | 2010 Bonhams Automobiles d'Exception á Rétromobile | $340,000 | $400,000 | |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 1980427500689 | 2008 Automobiles of London | $255,000 | $280,000 | $320,000 |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster | 198.042 10-950007 | 2003 Bonhams An auction of Collectors Motor Cars and Automobili | $195,000 | $230,000 |
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1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
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