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1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL made its racing debut in the 1952 Mille Miglia, finishing 2nd and 4th overall. This was followed by victories in the Carrera Pan-Americana and at Le Mans. Max Hoffman, the Mercedes-Benz importer for North America, believed there would be a market for a road-going version and convinced the factory that such a car would be popular and profitable.

Max Hoffman unveiled the pre-production 190 SL and 300 SL at the New York International Auto Show on February 6th of 1954. The production versions that followed would differ only slightly from the prototype examples on display at the auto show. They marked the first time a series-production car would have the engine - which was canted to the left as on race cars - would have a direct injection system into the combustion chambers.

In 1954, the production 300SL was launched. It retained the spaceframe chassis of the racing version and was powered by a 2,996cc, overhead-camshaft inline-six positioned at a 45-degree angle, helping to achieve a lower, more aerodynamic hood line. With the help of direct fuel injection, it offered 215 horsepower at 5,800 RPM. The engine was backed by a four-speed gearbox sending power to the hypoid bevel rear axle. The suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front, with swing axles and coil springs at the rear. Drum brakes with the cooling fan provided the stopping power and were the same as those on the company's racing cars.

In 1955, 29 examples were built entirely from aluminum and fitted with a 240-horsepower engine. These cars achieved several impressive finishes at grueling races in 1955 including 4th in the Mille Miglia, 1st in the Swedish Rally, 1st in the Tulpenrallye, 1st in Liège-Rome-Liège. The following year, they raced at the Rallye du Mont Ventoux, Liège-Rome-Liège, and finished 2nd in the Monte Carlo Rally. Stirling Moss and Georges Houel finished 2nd in the 1956 Tour de France Automobile.

Top speed was achieved at 140 mph and zero-to-sixty mph took 7.4 seconds. Along with its racing pedigree, the 300 SL was a luxurious and elegant grand touring automobile.

The 300SL Coupe was followed by a Roadster version with conventional doors three years later. It was first exhibited at the Geneva Salon in May 1957 and was an immediate hit. The open configuration necessitated altering the cockpit area, and the spaceframe was redesigned to permit lower sills for improved access. Additionally, the rear suspension was changed to incorporate low-pivot swing axles. The updated six-cylinder engine received the competition camshaft (only an option on the Coupe) used in the NSL racing Gullwings, good for a boost of 20 horsepower. Despite being 2 inches longer and the added weight of chassis reinforcement required by an open model, the roadster's performance was on par with that of the Gullwing.

The roadster had a reclining soft-top, leather upholstery, Rudge knock-off wheels, fitted trunk luggage, ivory or black steering wheel, and was usually equipped with a Becker radio and climate control. Certainly, from a road-going perspective, the new 300 SL was an improvement on the Gullwing in nearly every aspect. With a list price of $11,000, ownership of a 300 SL Roadster was limited to those who could afford this cutting-edge vehicle.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL photo
Rallye Roadster
Chassis #: 7500378
View info and history
Approximately 1,400 Gullwing coupes were built from 1954 through 1957. Roadster production lasted from 1957 through 1963, with 1,858 examples built. Total production for the coupe and roadster was 3,258 examples.


by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2019

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