1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Rallye Roadster

The 300SL Roadster was the second version (the first being the gullwing coupe) of the SL-Class grand touring cars. Introduced as the replacement for the gullwing at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, this fuel-injected production model was based on the company's highly successful yet somewhat less powerful carbureted 1952 race car, the Mercedes-Benz (W194) 300SL.

The suggestion of a streetable version of a race car was made by NY importer and dealer, Max Hoffman. The car was targeted at affluent performance enthusiasts in the booming post-war American market. The 300SL's body was unitized steel, but with aluminum hood, doors and trunk lid.

The 300SL is credited for changing the company's image in America from a manufacturer of solid, but staid, automobiles to that of a producer of sporty cars. Just 1,858 units were made of the roadster version, a large number of them sold in the United States.

This particular SL is a 1957 model. It was originally purchased by the Cunningham family, owners of Knight Motors of Bangor, Maine on European delivery. The Cunninghams enjoyed a month long holiday in the car, and took it back home with them on the QEII. It was never sold at the retail level, and never titled, using the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin and dealer plates ever since. The car was used by Mrs. Cunningham, and eventually sold to a Toledo dealer, where it remains. There are just 26,800 original miles on the odometer. While unrestored, it has had a freshening over the years.