1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
HIGHLIGHTS
Full Body Off Restoration By Marque Specialists At Hjeltness Restoration
Documented Ownership From New, Including European Delivery, Now Showing Just 46,000 Miles
Desirable 300 SL Roadster – One Of The Best Cars For The Sport Of Driving
Ready For Any Concours Event, Tour, Or Rally Around The World, Without Excuse
Accompanied By Factory Hardtop, Fitted Luggage, Tools, Original Manuals, Jack, And Documentation Folder
SPECIFICATIONS
VIN - 198.042.7500669
Engine – 2996cc, 6 Cylinder, Fuel Injected
Gearbox – 4 Speed Manual
Drivetrain - Front Engine, RWD
Price - SOLD
OVERVIEW
Considering the technology of today, it can be difficult to comprehend the powerful impression the Mercedes-Benz 300SL created upon release as a road car. Regarded by numerous experts and automotive historians as the premier sports car of the period, the 300SL was quite frankly light years ahead of the competition in every respect.
Spearheaded by a challenge from American importer Max Hoffman to Rudolf Uhlenhaut to build a Gran-Prix car suitable for road use, Mercedes-Benz accepted the challenge; a fitting and important distinction that would open a critical gateway to the growing North American market. Initially offered in 1954 with production culminating in 1957, the Gullwing arrived first as a rolling example of premier engineering and design, featuring fuel-injection (the first of its kind), unique body design and construction, with performance numbers placing it as the fastest road car in the world.
Demand for the Gullwing was unprecedented especially in the US where sports cars were becoming a big part of the growing wealthy elite. Hoffman insisted a roadster version also be developed. Far more than a modified Gullwing, the roadster was entirely unique, dramatically improving on the shortcomings of the earlier 300SL platform. The roadster chassis included additional structural frame members, improved side structure, greater torsional rigidity and better handling via single-pivot swing-axle rear suspension which vastly improved bump oversteer experienced in the Gullwing. Other improvements included roll-up door glass, increased horsepower, and softer coil springs. A total of 1,858 roadsters were built from 1957-1963, making it not only rare but today but highly sought after by premier collectors.
This particular example benefits from the highly desirable combination of impeccable provenance and world-class restoration. Copies of the original data card indicate this car was originally delivered in Graphite Gray (DB 190) over Light Gray (DB 955) upholstery with a gray canvas soft top, Becker Mexico radio, and US equipment. According to the service booklet accompanying the car, it was purchased new by New York resident George L. Kremer Jr. and delivered to him on March 14, 1958. The service booklet indicates Kremer, the son of a wealthy Fifth Avenue cosmetics entrepreneur, enjoyed a delightful life of European travels in this 300SL roadster upon acquisition at the factory. As the service booklet shows, Kremer acquired Mercedes-Benz service stamps indicated his jaunts from 325 miles to 2,200 miles, spanning March through July 1958, first in Munich, Paris, and finally Geneva. By August 1958, the car is located in the states with service indicated in New York at 5,000 miles.
The next recorded ownership is identified in the Gullwing Group Historical Roster as Charles Jenkins Jr., Lakeland, Florida. Jenkins is reported to have acquired the car in 1976. Four years later, Reynold (Ron) C. Murray of Englewood, Colorado is recorded as the owner (1980). Murray, an avid Mercedes-Benz collector, inventor, and co-founder of Royal Electronics, a leading radio manufacturer, enjoyed the car before embarking on a restoration in the early 1990s. Murray commissioned a comprehensive restoration by legendary Mercedes-Benz experts and specialists in 300SLs, Hjeltness Restorations, Escondido, California, documented with copies of invoices accompanying the car.
Upon completion of the restoration, the car remained in the care of Mr. Murray until purchased by a private owner in 1997, also residing in Colorado. The car would remain with this owner for more than twenty years, and saw careful service by experts at Farland Classic Restoration, Englewood, Colorado. Recent mechanical attention in 2019 has been devoted to the ignition and fuel system, with a comprehensive rebuild of the injection fuel pump.
Today this rare and beautiful 300SL roadster features the original matching numbers engine, verified by a copy of the Mercedes-Benz data card. The restoration, though now more than twenty years old is mesmerizing for its age, as any expert viewing the car will confirm the quality and finish to show only nominal evidence of time passage to the painted finishes, chrome luster, and exemplary mechanical continuity. The brilliant red paint has been uniformly applied without heavy application and over-buffing, often seen in non-metallic finishes. The finish is glossy and smooth with concours level presentation, crisp rubber gasket edges, excellent trim fitment, and exceptional panel gaps.
The doors, hood and trunk open and shut smoothly with distinctive German precision with inner surfaces finished to equally high attention afforded on the exterior. The emblems, glass, and lenses are also in excellent condition, none of which show any signs of age. The chrome bumpers and various bright work show remarkably no evidence of hazing or thinning in the luster and depth, once again a tribute to the Hjeltness Restoration quality and longevity of their craftsmanship. The wheels and wheel covers are beautifully finished with matching painted center hubcaps and polished wheel trim, sporting period correct black wall tires. Every aspect of this iconic design, from the sculpted speed blisters to the race car inspired side vents genuinely reflect the precision excellence of the original, captured in this remarkably fine restoration.
The interior of the car has been properly finished with correct black leather seating surfaces including properly stitched and recessed seat pleating, correctly fitted door panels, and properly trimmed dashboard. The workmanship throughout the interior is of high quality with excellent feel to the seating surfaces, now showing only minor evidence of settling to the leather and nominal use to the carpeted areas. The contrasting red and black interior is enhanced by artistic touches in the vividly clear instruments, engaging dashboard, and various knobs and switches, all of which have been properly restored and detailed.
The soft canvas top smoothly disappears into the hinged rear deck and latches into the windshield header with tight closure including a clear, taut rear window. A rare and desirable factory hardtop is also included with the car. Finished in matching red with distinctive 300SL side badging, the classic lines of the roadster are not interrupted at all when the hardtop is in place; a welcome addition for cool climate tours or events. Inside the trunk, a set of hand-crafted luggage has been trimmed with black leather, bolstered with pin-studded hand edging and leather grab handles and chrome hardware. The inner lining of the luggage appears to be virtually unused since restoration.
Under the hood, the matching numbers fuel-injected 300SL engine is a stunning combination of casting artistry and mechanical refinement. Correct finishes, proper fittings, and attention to detail is evident throughout the engine compartment and all visible engine components. The correct air cleaner housing is properly finished with proper factory hardware used throughout. One might expect to find some evidence of use since the restoration was completed, however there is little to no signs of age, only minor hints of heat cycling in a few areas. Once again, the overall cohesive presentation is exceptional. The correct engine number stamping and ID plate, correct serial number plate, and correct body code plate are all in place. As one might expect the undercarriage and chassis are further detailed with the same care and attention throughout. Even the painted inner fenders, suspension components, and lower engine castings show only minimal signs of use.
This exceptional 300SL Roadster comes with the rare factory hardtop and hardtop stand, fitted leather trimmed luggage, tools and jack, a large notebook with restoration records from Hjeltness and recent service records from Farland Classic. Also included is a copy of the original Mercedes-Benz Data Card, the owner’s manual, and original service booklet documenting the early years of ownership and service.
The Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster remains today a hallmark of unmatched automotive engineering and design. These fast, beautiful, and exclusive cars continue to appeal to collectors and enthusiasts for their stunning beauty, exceptional quality, and impressive driving manners. This matching numbers example is ready to show at any of the of the top level concours fields, participate in premier touring events, or simply to enjoy as one of the finest restored examples of modern sports car design.
Please contact Jason Harris at +1-206-355-7727 for more information on this 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster.
