1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Rallye Roadster

This Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster was originally delivered via Mercedes-Benz Distributors Western Ltd. of Vancouver in 1957. It wore a Silbergrau Metallic (Silver-Grey Metallic) exterior with a Rot (Red) leather interior and a Schwarz (Black) top. It was given a 3.89:1 rear-axle ratio, sealed-beam headlights, a Becker Mexico radio, a luggage set, Rudge knock-off wheels, and English-language instrumentation. It is believed that fewer than 30 factory Rudge-wheel Roadsters were built; these wheels were more frequently seen on the Gullwings.

The car's first owner resided in Wenatchee, Washington; Merle Solland was the car's second owner, who purchased it around 1964 and retained it for the next 54 years. The current owner (the car's third) purchased the Mercedes-Benz in 2018. At the time of purchase, the car had approximately 36,000 miles on its odometer and remained original except for an off-yellow paint job, believed to have been done by the first owner.

In 2019, HK-Engineering in Germany was commisioned to go through the car mechanically as well as carefully remove its layer of yellow paint. The paint removal was performed by hand with razor blades, and over 1,000 hours were spent on this process.

This Mercedes has its original factory upholstery, rubber floor mats, trunk mat, headlights, taillights, and chrome. It has its original factory soft top and rear window, and period-correct Continental tires fitted to the car's 1957 date-stamped Rudge wheels.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2024