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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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $859,705 range.
| 1957 Porsche 356 Carrera 1500 GS Speedster Chassis#:83492 Sold for $860,288 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
| 2022 Ford GT Carbon Series Chassis#:1FAGP9DW8MH200246 Sold for $860,288 2024 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
| 2019 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9CW6KH200075 Sold for $863,000 2023 RM Sothebys : New York | |
| 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo S Chassis#:WP0AC2990VS375827 Sold for $863,000 2023 RM Sothebys : The White Collection | |
| 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 Convertible Chassis#:194671s114630 Sold for $863,500 2023 Mecum : Monterey | |
| 1934 MERCEDES-BENZ 500 K OFFENER TOURENWAGEN Chassis#:105355 Sold for $857,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Estate of Mark Smith Auction |   |
| 1937 Maserati 4CM Monoposto Chassis#:1128 Sold for $866,264 2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
| 2015 Ferrari F12tdf 'Pre-Series' Chassis#:ZFF81BHB000213366 Sold for $857,063 2023 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
| 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO Chassis#:ZFF70RCA8B0175964 Sold for $863,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
| 1970 Plymouth Hemi Superbird Sold for $852,500 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1991 Jaguar XJR-15 Chassis#:035 Sold for $861,965 2022 RM Sothebys : London | |
| 1931 Duesenberg Model J Arlington Sedan Chassis#:2187 Sold for $857,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
| 2010 Ferrari 599 GTO F1 Chassis#:ZFF70RDB000173816 Sold for $855,736 2022 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
| 1904 PIPE SERIE E 15CV FOUR-CYLINDER REAR-ENTRANCE TONNEAU Chassis#:1518 Sold for $856,605 2022 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
| 1929 Bentley 4½ LITER TO SUPERCHARGED SPECIFICATIONS REPLICA LE MANS STYLE COACHWORK Chassis#:AB 3669 Sold for $863,000 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge |   |
| 1931 BENTLEY 8 LITRE POINTED TAIL TWO SEATER Chassis#:YR 5092 Sold for $859,871 2021 Gooding & Company : European Sporting & Historic Collection | |
| 1964 Aston Martin DB5 'Vantage Specification' Chassis#:DB5/1900/R Sold for $852,000 2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection | |
| 2017 Ford GT Chassis#:2FAGP9CW4HH200097 Sold for $858,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | |
| 1960 Porsche MOMO 356 RSR Outlaw by Emory Chassis#:109153 Sold for $858,000 2020 RM Sothebys : Shift/Monterey | |
| 1966 Shelby GT350 Paxton Fastback Chassis#:6S2265 Sold for $852,500 2020 Mecum : Indy |
1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
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1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Vehicle Profiles
