Mercedes-Benz SL Class 300SL Roadster

• Subjected to a comprehensive restoration by DD Classics
• Flawless Grey-Blue coachwork
• A truly world-class example
• The ultimate ‘King’ of the road

Finished in Grey-Blue coachwork with Hermès Tan hide and a French Blue mohair soft top, this 300SL Roadster presents exactly as one of Mercedes-Benz’s most important post-war models should. The car has been the subject of a comprehensive restoration by DD Classics, carried out with the clear objective of returning it to the standard and specification expected of a top-level example. Every stage of the process was personally overseen by our Managing Director, Daniel Donovan, ensuring that the work was completed with the level of care and attention that cars of this calibre demand.

The restoration itself was undertaken with a strong emphasis on correctness and quality. The bodywork presents with exceptional panel fit and a deep, consistent finish across the Grey-Blue paintwork, while the brightwork and trim have been restored or refinished to an equally high standard. Inside the car, the Hermès Tan leather interior has been finished with great care, with particular attention paid to the small details that separate a good restoration from a great one. From the correct pattern and number of perforations in the seats to the accurate materials and finishes used throughout the cabin, every element has been carefully considered.

The same level of detail continues throughout the car. The engine bay has been restored with the correct finishes, fittings and period decals, while the mechanical components have been rebuilt and presented exactly as they should be. It is immediately clear when viewing the car that the restoration was carried out with both authenticity and longevity in mind. This is not simply a well-presented 300SL Roadster, but one that has been restored with the intention of standing alongside the very best examples available anywhere.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300SL Roadster at the Geneva Motor Show in 1957 as the open successor to the now legendary 300SL Gullwing. While the Gullwing had already secured its place as one of the most advanced sports cars of its era, the Roadster was designed to broaden the model’s appeal while maintaining the same level of performance and engineering innovation. Production began in May of that year and the car arrived with a list price of 32,500 Deutsche Marks — some 13,500 more than the Gullwing. This positioned it as one of the most expensive and exclusive sports cars available at the time.

The Roadster retained the advanced fuel-injected straight-six engine that had made the Gullwing so formidable, while improvements to the chassis and suspension made the car more refined and usable for longer journeys. The revised rear suspension significantly improved handling, and the conventional doors allowed for a more practical and comfortable cockpit. These updates made the Roadster particularly well suited to high-speed grand touring, combining serious performance with the comfort and usability expected from a Mercedes-Benz.

Today, the 300SL Roadster remains one of the most recognised and respected sports cars ever built. Its distinctive proportions, advanced engineering and racing pedigree have ensured its place as one of the defining automobiles of the twentieth century. Fast enough to satisfy the most enthusiastic driver and refined enough for long-distance touring, the Roadster perfectly captures the balance of performance, quality and style that defined Mercedes-Benz during this period.

Nearly seventy years after its introduction, the 300SL Roadster continues to stand at the very top of the collector car world. Examples restored and presented to this level are increasingly difficult to find, and this car represents an opportunity to acquire one of the most important and enduring sports cars ever produced, a true icon of the road that remains every bit as impressive today as it was when first unveiled.

Now available for viewing at the DD Classics Dealership in London, please call to book an appointment.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information but errors may occur. Please check with a salesperson.