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Mercedes-Benz replaced its 300 SL 'Gullwing' Coupe in 1957 with a Roadster version which had been introduced at that year's Geneva Auto Salon. More than just a new body style, the roadster required a redesign of the chassis to add rigidity lost by the removal of the roof structure. There were conventional doors, a redesigned cockpit with lower sills, and mechanical changes included a fully synchronized gearbox, a new rear axle design, a wide range of final drive selections, and greatly improved engine mechanicals. Despite not having a roof, the roadster weighed 276 pounds (125 kilograms) more than the coupe.
With the spare tire residing under the boot floor meant a smaller fuel tank and minimal luggage space.
Production of the Roadster lasted through 1963, with 1,858 examples built during that time.
Chassis Number 189.010.7500563
This 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is an early US-market Roadster and is the 526th of 618 examples produced during the model's initial year of availability. It has spent nearly five decades in the ownership of Rodolfo Junco de la Vega, Jr.
This Mercedes-Benz was delivered new to a Studebaker dealer in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 16, 1957. It wore an exterior color of Ivory (DB 608) over red leather (1079) beneath a black fabric soft top (872). It had a 3.89 rear axle, Becker Mexico radio, sealed-beam headlamps, and standard disc wheels wrapped in Michelin tires.
In 1972, this Mercedes was acquired by an individual from San Antonio, Texas. A year later, it was purchased by Junco de la Vega, Jr. in highly original, though non-running, condition for his wife Lillian. Over the next several years, the car was given a sympathetic mechanical restoration by his own hand, while also having it professionally refinished in Lillian's preferred color combination of Medium Blue over matching blue leather.
Around 2010, the Roadster was given a complete restoration back to its factory-correct color combination, which it still wears today. The red leather interior and black fabric soft top were executed to factory-correct specifications by upholsterer Benny Lesch of Havana, Florida. Upon completion, it was invited to the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
In early 2023, Junco de la Vega's heirs sent the 300 SL to Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA for a complete inspection. More recently, it was sent to Bob Smith Coachworks in Gainesville, Texas, fitted a new clutch, fuel lines, pilot bearing, water pump, distributor cap, spark plugs (with wires), generator, valve cover gasket, transmission and engine mounts, and resurfaced flywheel. Many additional components were rebuilt or refurbished including the master cylinder, fuel tank, fuel injection system, brake booster, regulator, and starter. The car's radiator and oil cooler also received new cores.
This Mercedes-Benz retains its numbers-matching gearbox, rear axle, and original body. Its chassis stamp and chassis plate are labeled with the prefix code of the 300d sedan (W189.010) - an error that is believed to be attributable to the timing of this Roadster's completion in late 1957 when production of the 300d had only just begun. At the time, the two models occupied parallel assembly lines at the company's campus of workshops in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
With the spare tire residing under the boot floor meant a smaller fuel tank and minimal luggage space.
Production of the Roadster lasted through 1963, with 1,858 examples built during that time.
Chassis Number 189.010.7500563
This 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is an early US-market Roadster and is the 526th of 618 examples produced during the model's initial year of availability. It has spent nearly five decades in the ownership of Rodolfo Junco de la Vega, Jr.
This Mercedes-Benz was delivered new to a Studebaker dealer in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 16, 1957. It wore an exterior color of Ivory (DB 608) over red leather (1079) beneath a black fabric soft top (872). It had a 3.89 rear axle, Becker Mexico radio, sealed-beam headlamps, and standard disc wheels wrapped in Michelin tires.
In 1972, this Mercedes was acquired by an individual from San Antonio, Texas. A year later, it was purchased by Junco de la Vega, Jr. in highly original, though non-running, condition for his wife Lillian. Over the next several years, the car was given a sympathetic mechanical restoration by his own hand, while also having it professionally refinished in Lillian's preferred color combination of Medium Blue over matching blue leather.
Around 2010, the Roadster was given a complete restoration back to its factory-correct color combination, which it still wears today. The red leather interior and black fabric soft top were executed to factory-correct specifications by upholsterer Benny Lesch of Havana, Florida. Upon completion, it was invited to the 2012 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance.
In early 2023, Junco de la Vega's heirs sent the 300 SL to Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA for a complete inspection. More recently, it was sent to Bob Smith Coachworks in Gainesville, Texas, fitted a new clutch, fuel lines, pilot bearing, water pump, distributor cap, spark plugs (with wires), generator, valve cover gasket, transmission and engine mounts, and resurfaced flywheel. Many additional components were rebuilt or refurbished including the master cylinder, fuel tank, fuel injection system, brake booster, regulator, and starter. The car's radiator and oil cooler also received new cores.
This Mercedes-Benz retains its numbers-matching gearbox, rear axle, and original body. Its chassis stamp and chassis plate are labeled with the prefix code of the 300d sedan (W189.010) - an error that is believed to be attributable to the timing of this Roadster's completion in late 1957 when production of the 300d had only just begun. At the time, the two models occupied parallel assembly lines at the company's campus of workshops in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2024
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $950,000-USD $1,200,000
Sale Price :
USD $1,050,000
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 | |
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 : 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 |
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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
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