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One of the most iconic of all Mercedes-Benz is the 300SL. How fitting and appropriate it would be than that one of the most iconic of all Mercedes-Benz automobiles would be owned by one of the most iconic actresses in all of Hollywood. Her name… Natalia Nikolaevna Zacharenko. She would be better known as Natalie Wood.
A problem with the 300SL's new chassis would give birth to an ingenious answer and create an immediately memorable and epochal design. But while the 300SL would be more famous for its gullwing derivative, the car was not quite the answer for one of the leading actresses of the time. A beautiful actress should have a car that perfectly accentuates her reputation and place within the Hollywood elite. The car should not be the center of attention therefore.
Mercedes would have an answer to this dilemma as well. The resolution would come in 1957 and would take the form of a 300SL Roadster.
Just as production of the famed coupe version was coming to an end, the roadster version would be ramping up. Virtually every element of the car would be the same. The major difference, of course, would be in the convertible top that would replace the gullwing doors. Though introduced in 1957, there would be only a few of the roadsters built. One of those would be chassis 198.042.7500569.
The first example of the roadster would first make an appearance in the magazine Auto, Motor und Sport when spotted in the summer of 1956. By the end of 1957, just a total of 618 roadsters would be built and on their way to their customers.
One of those customers would be Natalie Wood. Costing more than $10,000, it would take someone like Wood to be able to buy one of the roadsters. This particular example would be fitted with Rudge wheels, one of only about 25 to receive the specific type. Completed, the car would make its way to the United States where it would be united with Wood in January of 1958, about a month after she married Robert Wagner, for the first time. At just 19, the roadster was ideally-suited to magnify the allure of the Hollywood star.
At the time of her receiving the roadster, the sporty car would be adorned in the famed silver finish. The interior would consist of red leather. However, the silver was not exactly what Wood wanted for herself. Therefore, she would make the decision to have the car repainted with a very bright shade of pink. The red leather interior would remain.
The roadster would remain with Natalie up until the 1960s. By 1978, Don McColl of Ontario, Canada would own the car. McColl was certainly interested in being seen behind the wheel of a 300SL Roadster, but not necessarily one that was bright pink in color. Therefore, he would have the car repainted. He would have the car returned to its original finish.
The roadster would undergo restoration in 2000. The restoration would be undertaken by Rudi Koniczek of Rudi & Company and he would eventually refinish the car in a Silver Blue. He would retain the red leather. Every other detail would be thoroughly looked after over the course of the process. Great care would be taken to ensure that everything was correct, inside and out. This would include a Becker radio and even a Rudge wheel spare. About the only diversion from original would be the finish and the modern tires fitted to the Rudge wheels.
The completed car would be sold, but would not be hidden from sight. In 2010 the 300SL Roadster would take part in the Colorado Grand. Then, two years later, the car would be seen in Hollywood once again. It would be part of a Mercedes-Benz display celebrating the relationship between the 300SL and many of Hollywood's elite.
Following the event in Hollywood, the roadster would make an appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. It was be present as part of a special celebration marking the 60th anniversary of Mercedes' victory at Le Mans in 1952. In addition to being a part of the special event, 0569 would also come away with Best in Class honors.
Still highly original in look, operation and feel, this particular roadster remains a prime example of an icon and is a fitting moving memorial to another icon, one of Hollywood's leading ladies.
Sources:
'1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064990). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064990. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
'1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4894/Mercedes-Benz-300-SL.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4894/Mercedes-Benz-300-SL.aspx. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
'1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11266/Mercedes-Benz-300SL.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11266/Mercedes-Benz-300SL.aspx. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Natalie Wood', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 January 2014, 16:26 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Natalie_Wood&oldid=592812982 accessed 5 February 2014By Jeremy McMullen
A problem with the 300SL's new chassis would give birth to an ingenious answer and create an immediately memorable and epochal design. But while the 300SL would be more famous for its gullwing derivative, the car was not quite the answer for one of the leading actresses of the time. A beautiful actress should have a car that perfectly accentuates her reputation and place within the Hollywood elite. The car should not be the center of attention therefore.
Mercedes would have an answer to this dilemma as well. The resolution would come in 1957 and would take the form of a 300SL Roadster.
Just as production of the famed coupe version was coming to an end, the roadster version would be ramping up. Virtually every element of the car would be the same. The major difference, of course, would be in the convertible top that would replace the gullwing doors. Though introduced in 1957, there would be only a few of the roadsters built. One of those would be chassis 198.042.7500569.
The first example of the roadster would first make an appearance in the magazine Auto, Motor und Sport when spotted in the summer of 1956. By the end of 1957, just a total of 618 roadsters would be built and on their way to their customers.
One of those customers would be Natalie Wood. Costing more than $10,000, it would take someone like Wood to be able to buy one of the roadsters. This particular example would be fitted with Rudge wheels, one of only about 25 to receive the specific type. Completed, the car would make its way to the United States where it would be united with Wood in January of 1958, about a month after she married Robert Wagner, for the first time. At just 19, the roadster was ideally-suited to magnify the allure of the Hollywood star.
At the time of her receiving the roadster, the sporty car would be adorned in the famed silver finish. The interior would consist of red leather. However, the silver was not exactly what Wood wanted for herself. Therefore, she would make the decision to have the car repainted with a very bright shade of pink. The red leather interior would remain.
The roadster would remain with Natalie up until the 1960s. By 1978, Don McColl of Ontario, Canada would own the car. McColl was certainly interested in being seen behind the wheel of a 300SL Roadster, but not necessarily one that was bright pink in color. Therefore, he would have the car repainted. He would have the car returned to its original finish.
The roadster would undergo restoration in 2000. The restoration would be undertaken by Rudi Koniczek of Rudi & Company and he would eventually refinish the car in a Silver Blue. He would retain the red leather. Every other detail would be thoroughly looked after over the course of the process. Great care would be taken to ensure that everything was correct, inside and out. This would include a Becker radio and even a Rudge wheel spare. About the only diversion from original would be the finish and the modern tires fitted to the Rudge wheels.
The completed car would be sold, but would not be hidden from sight. In 2010 the 300SL Roadster would take part in the Colorado Grand. Then, two years later, the car would be seen in Hollywood once again. It would be part of a Mercedes-Benz display celebrating the relationship between the 300SL and many of Hollywood's elite.
Following the event in Hollywood, the roadster would make an appearance at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. It was be present as part of a special celebration marking the 60th anniversary of Mercedes' victory at Le Mans in 1952. In addition to being a part of the special event, 0569 would also come away with Best in Class honors.
Still highly original in look, operation and feel, this particular roadster remains a prime example of an icon and is a fitting moving memorial to another icon, one of Hollywood's leading ladies.
Sources:
'1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster', (http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064990). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/lots/lot.cfm?lot_id=1064990. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
'1954 Mercedes-Benz 300SL News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4894/Mercedes-Benz-300-SL.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z4894/Mercedes-Benz-300-SL.aspx. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
'1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL News, Pictures, Specifications and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11266/Mercedes-Benz-300SL.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11266/Mercedes-Benz-300SL.aspx. Retrieved 5 February 2014.
Wikipedia contributors, 'Natalie Wood', Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 January 2014, 16:26 UTC, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Natalie_Wood&oldid=592812982 accessed 5 February 2014By Jeremy McMullen
2014 RM Auctions - Amelia Island
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,400,000-USD $1,750,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,842,500
2009 Pebble Beach Auction : Gooding & Company
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $500,000-USD $600,000
Sale Price :
USD $561,000
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#: 198.042.7500364 Sold for USD$2,892,500 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster Chassis#: 1890107500563 Sold for USD$1,237,500 2024 Mecum : Monterey | |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500315 Sold for USD$1,105,000 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500628 Sold for USD$995,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Chassis#: 198.042.7500680 Sold for USD$1,200,000 2024 Broad Arrow : Monterey | |
| 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 |   |
| 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 |
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 | 1980427500523 | 2024 Mecum : Monterey | $1,300,000 | $1,600,000 | $1,750,000 |
| 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing | 1980407500061 | 2024 Mecum : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | $2,100,000 |
| 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 : 2023 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 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $971,219 range.
| 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead Coupe by Bertone Chassis#:LML/504 Sold for $967,500 2024 RM Sothebys : Monterey | |
| 1961 Chaparral Mk 1 Chassis#:003 Sold for $975,000 2024 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach |   |
| 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Roadster Chassis#:csx2516 Sold for $962,500 2024 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 2005 Ferrari Superamerica Chassis#:ZFFGT61A650144855 Sold for $978,500 2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey |   |
| 1932 Aston Martin Le Mans 'LM8' Chassis#:LM8 Sold for $972,783 2023 RM Sothebys : Le Mans | |
| 1974 FERRARI DINO 246 GTS Chassis#:08512 Sold for $967,500 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction |  |
| 1993 Porsche Turbo S 'Lightweight' Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS479014 Sold for $962,000 2023 RM Sothebys : Arizona |   |
| 2011 Ferrari 599 SA Aperta Chassis#:ZFF72RDB000183747 Sold for $961,678 2022 RM Sothebys : London | |
| 1956 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SL GULLWING Chassis#:198.040.6500278 Sold for $970,631 2022 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
| 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Ascot Dual Cowl Sport Phaeton Chassis#:S304KP Sold for $967,500 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
| 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO Chassis#:ZFF70RCA6B0176109 Sold for $967,500 2022 Broad Arrow Auctions : Monterey Jet Center Auction |  |
| 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta Chassis#:ZFF78VHA5F0213621 Sold for $962,500 2022 Mecum : Monterey |  |
| 1971 Chevrolet Corvette ZR2 Convertible Sold for $962,500 2022 Mecum Indy | |
| 1973 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA RS 2.7 LIGHTWEIGHT Chassis#:9113600196 Sold for $973,000 2022 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction |   |
| 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale by Pininfarina Chassis#:8727 Sold for $967,500 2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
| 1934 Riley MPH SPORTS TWO SEATER Chassis#:44T 2246 Sold for $967,500 2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge |   |
| 2004 KOENIGSEGG CCR Chassis#:YT9M1G0V8L2007011 Sold for $967,459 2021 RM Sothebys : Milan 2021 | |
| 1965 Shelby 289 Cobra Chassis#:CSX 2547 Sold for $967,500 2021 RM Sothebys : Amelia Island Auction |   |
| 1965 SHELBY GT350 Chassis#:SFM5S553 Sold for $962,500 2021 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
| 1986 Lancia Delta S4 Chassis#:227 Sold for $975,525 2021 Artcurial : PARISIENNE 2021 |
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Mercedes-Benz 300SL model years
