1957 MERCEDES-BENZ W198 300SL ROADSTER NOW SOLD AND UNDER RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION.
We have a number of W198 300SL Roadster and Coupe (Gullwing) for sale off market. If you are looking for a specific car please do advise.
Know the car you want, but unsure who you or your International client should source from. We work on the same values and principles that you or your client are accustomed to.
We provide a trustworthy, personal, discreet, transparent and versatile service to connect valued clients on both sides - seller or buyer. We have a number of vehicles restored to an exceptional standard incomparable to any other vehicle in the market.
For further information on our personal services please contact sales@luxclassics.com or call +44(0)1245 363700
THE MERCEDES-BENZ W198 300SL HISTORY
Born out of an idea for a toned-down Grand Prix car for the affluent sports car enthusiast, the W198 Mercedes-Benz 300SL introduced in 1954 was voted the ‘sports car of the 20th century’. It is now an undisputed icon of speed, power, and exemplary engineering with an aura of sophisticated style.
Significant design features of the super light ‘SL’ (Mercedes' first use of the designation) included a steel body with lightweight aluminum bonnet, doors, dashboard, and boot lid attached to a motorsport-derived light tubular frame construction. To achieve the low profiled bonnet line, the mechanically fuel injected 240 hp 2,996 cc straight 6 engine had to be slanted at 50 degrees, and with its dry sump lubrication, there was no requirement for an oil pan so its height was reduced further.
Manufactured at the Sindelfingen plant, there were only 1,400 of the archetypal 300SL Coupe ‘Gullwing’ produced between 1954 and 1957, before the 300SL Roadster was introduced. With lower door sills, redesigned cockpit and more luggage space, it was a more user-friendly everyday proposition. Nevertheless, it was still the fastest production car of its time, capable of 163mph.
With the introduction of a lower-pivot rear swing axle, the 300SL Roadster’s handling was more refined and less tail-happy than the Gullwing. This set up was also used for the hugely successful 190SL – a more approachable and less intense incarnation of the legendary 300SL.
When production ended in 1963, only 3,258 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLs had been manufactured, making surviving examples today very rare and highly sought after.
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