conceptcarz.com

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL

Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300 SL Roadster in March 1957, a new open-top version of the 300 SL Gullwing Coupe. Many mechanical advancements were bestowed upon roadster, chief among them was a new rear-axle design and a modified frame. Disc brakes were added in 1961 and aluminum engine blocks (fitted to the final 210 examples) followed a year later. Production ceased in February 1963 after 1,858 roadsters had been built, including 26 in 1963. An optional hardtop became available in September 1958.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL photo
HardTop Coupe
Chassis #: 198.042.10.003254
Engine #: 198.982.10.000224
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
Max Hoffman and the Genesis of the 300 SL Sports Car
Max Hoffman was an important figure in introducing the United States to many European brands after World War II. Based on Park Avenue in New York, he imported brands such as Jaguar, Allard, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Mercedes-Benz and more. In 1952, after Mercedes-Benz won the Carrera Panamericana with a W194 300SL coupe driven by Karl Kling, Hoffman saw an opportunity. His plan was to create a road-going sports car of the W194. Although this was an audacious endeavor, Hoffman understood the U.S. market and its craving for capable machinery. The W194 fit the bill, with its racing-derived tube frame and high-performance 3-liter engine.

Displaying confidence, Hoffman placed an order for a thousand coupes based on a more civilized version of the W194. Mercedes-Benz agreed, and the 300SL was born.

300SL Gullwing Coupe
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL in Coupe configuration was introduced at the February 1954 New York Auto Show, and a total of 1,400 examples were built through 1957. The 'SL' in the name is an abbreviation of the German term 'super-leicht,' meaning 'super-light,' a reference to the car's racing-bred lightweight construction.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL photo
HardTop Coupe
Chassis #: 198.042.10.003254
Engine #: 198.982.10.000224
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The W194 retained the exotic roof-hinged doors, fully independent suspension, a close-ratio gearbox with straight cut gears, a 45-degree canted triple-carbureted single overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine, and the first fuel injection system ever offered in a production automobile.

300SL Roadster Mechanical Specification
The 2,996cc aluminum-alloy, single overhead cam, inline six-cylinder engine powering the 1963 300 SL had Bosch Mechanical fuel injection and produced 250 horsepower at 6,200 RPM. It was paired to a four-speed manual transmission, and four-wheel disc brakes provided the stopping power. The suspension was independent at the front with double-wishbones and coil springs, while the rear had swing axles (a single-joint arrangement) and coil springs.

Weighing approximately 3,130 pounds, the Roadster was around 275 pounds lighter than its gullwing predecessor, and its 240 horsepower (initially) engine was slightly more potent than the one installed in the coupe. Modifications to the tubular frame allowed for conventionally hinged doors, a lower door sill, and more space in the boot. With the spare tire placed under the boot floor and a smaller fuel tank, there was room for custom-made fitted luggage.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL photo
HardTop Coupe
Chassis #: 198.042.10.003254
Engine #: 198.982.10.000224
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
The 300SL Roadster resided on a 94.5-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 178 inches and a width of 70.5 inches.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2024

Related Reading : Mercedes-Benz 300 History

With a top speed of 130-155 mph, depending on the axle ratio, the 300SL was one of the fastest vehicles of the 1950s. Its performance, design, reputation, and futuristic Gullwing doors were all responsible for the success of the vehicle. The SL represented Sport Leicht or Sport Light. An American Max Hoffman is partly responsible for the mass-production of the 300SL. He had urged Mercedes-Benz....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Mercedes-Benz 300 History

The Mercedes-Benz 300 was produced from 1951 through 1958 and is one of the most graceful and classic creations of the post-World War II era. The style was both classic and modern and built to high standards. They were constructed from fine materials using the latest in technology and achieving minimal weight with a high degree of strength. The 300 was built on a traditional body-on-frame construction....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Mercedes-Benz 300 History

Eternal youth is a miracle bestowed on only a small number of cars, and the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL coupe is one of this elite group. The Stuttgart-based brand unveiled its new sports car in February 1954 at the International Motor Sports Show in New York, and in so doing lit the fuse for an icon of the automotive world. With its flat, graceful body, the 300 SL had lost nothing of its freshness even....
Continue Reading >>

Related Reading : Mercedes-Benz 300 History

Large and luxurious, the Mercedes 300 series was built from 1951 until 1957 in its original form. The companys largest and most-prestigious models, the Mercedes-Benz Type 300 is considered a trademark of the era throughout the 1950s. With a 3 liter engine capacity, the name 300 said it all. Exclusive, expensive, elegant and full of power, the Type 300 vehicles were in an elite status all of its own.....
Continue Reading >>

1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

$100-$11,100
1963 300 SL
$11,600-$20,666
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Price Range: $11,100 - $11,600

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1963 Mercedes-Benz Models

300 SL

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
267
94.50 in.
6 cyl., 182.83 CID., 222.00hp
$10,930 - $10,930
200
94.50 in.
6 cyl., 182.83 CID., 222.00hp
$10,930 - $10,930
241
94.50 in.
6 cyl., 182.83 CID., 225.00hp
$10,955 - $10,955
256
94.50 in.
6 cyl., 182.83 CID., 225.00hp
$10,955 - $10,955
182
94.50 in.
6 cyl., 182.83 CID., 225.00hp
$10,955 - $10,955
94.50 in.
6 cyl., 182.83 CID., 225.00hp
$11,100 - $11,600

Related Automotive News

Platinum Award-Winning Ferrari 275 GTB and Aston Martin DB5 Convertible Lead Gooding & Company's Blue-Chip Icons for Upcoming Pebble Beach Auctions

Platinum Award-Winning Ferrari 275 GTB and Aston Martin DB5 Convertible Lead Gooding & Company's Blue-Chip Icons for Upcoming Pebble Beach Auctions

The official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours dElegance® will present a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB, a 1965 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible, and a 1968 Lamborghini Miura P400 among other ultra-collectible 1960s sports cars. Gooding...
Legendary Rush Drummer Neil Peart Estate Car Collection to be Presented at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

Legendary Rush Drummer Neil Peart Estate Car Collection to be Presented at Gooding & Company's Pebble Beach Auctions

The iconic musicians personal cars, which he dubbed the Silver Surfers, including a 1964 Aston Martin DB5, a Shelby Cobra 289, and a Lamborghini Miura P400 S, will be auctioned at Pebble Beach in August. Gooding %26 Company, the official auction...
The Peninsula Classics Best Of The Best Award For 2016 Awarded To 1954 Maserati A6GCS//53 Berlinetta By Pinin Farina

The Peninsula Classics Best Of The Best Award For 2016 Awarded To 1954 Maserati A6GCS//53 Berlinetta By Pinin Farina

Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif. (August 15, 2017) – At a highly-anticipated private gathering during the famed Monterey Car Week, a 1954 Maserati A6GCS53 Berlinetta by Pinin Farina, from the Monaco-based Destriero Collection, was named winner of the...
Exclusive and Historic Porsches on Offer at The Pebble Beach Auctions Presented by Gooding & Company

Exclusive and Historic Porsches on Offer at The Pebble Beach Auctions Presented by Gooding & Company

Highlighting these offerings – the 1979 Porsche 935 raced by Paul Newman at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans and winner of the 1980 24 Hours of Daytona, a rare original Rothmans 1984 Porsche 911 SCRS and the 1994 Porsche Turbo 3.6 S Flachbau with less...
Gooding & Company's Two-Day Pebble Beach Auctions Realizes More Than $128 Million

Gooding & Company's Two-Day Pebble Beach Auctions Realizes More Than $128 Million

Pebble Beach, Calif. (August 17, 2015) – Gooding %26 Company, the official auction house of Pebble Beach Concours dElegance®, realized more than %24128 million at its Pebble Beach Auctions this weekend, resulting in a two-day sales company record....