Fresh from a €700,000 concours level restoration by marque specialist in Germany
Fresh from a €700,000 concours level restoration by marque specialist in Germany
Completed the 2,000 km 2025 King of Morocco's tour
Finished in its original colour combination
Certified by Mercedes-Benz
UK registered
Chassis 198.042.8500299 was registered new to its first owner, a resident of Paris, France, on the 12th of November 1958. Finished in Silver Grey Metallic over a red leather interior with a black soft top, it remains in the same colour combination today, as confirmed by the Mercedes-Benz data card. It was fitted with the following options: US-market specification, graphite grey hardtop, Becker Mexico radio, and chrome disc wheels.
Imported into the United Kingdom and registered on the 26th of February 1962, it remained in single ownership for almost thirty-three years before being sold on the 1st of October 2006 to a local friend of the owner, who retained it until the 23rd of July 2011, when it was sold back to the previous owner. He retained the car until his passing, after which it was registered to his wife on the 7th of December. On the 17th of December, it was sold by Coys Auction House in London during their December sale for £343,400 as a barn-find project, showing 13,581 miles on the odometer.
The new British owner had the car transported to John Haynes Independent Mercedes-Benz Specialist, who carried out a comprehensive month-long inspection. This revealed damage to the spaceframe on the passenger-side rear damper, as well as a replacement engine block dated February 1957 and a replacement transmission. In June 2012, the owner appointed Mark Kienle of Kienle Automobiltechnik to complete an assessment of the car. Following this, the decision was made to embark upon a full concours-level rotisserie restoration by Kienle Automobiltechnik near Stuttgart, Germany.
At the time, Kienle Automobiltechnik was considered one of the world’s foremost specialists in the restoration of 300 SLs. The quality of their work was exceptional, while their expertise and access to original factory 300 SL jigs and dies placed them above many other notable restoration companies. In June 2012, the car was completely disassembled and stripped to bare metal for inspection. The body, rear axle, both front kingpins, and steering box remain matching numbers. After five years on the waiting list, restoration work commenced in June 2017.
The car was refinished in its original colour scheme of Silver Grey Metallic over a red leather interior, with a black soft top and graphite grey hardtop. During the restoration, a number of thoughtful upgrades were incorporated to improve overall drivability and usability. These included a rebuilt Becker Mexico cassette radio, hazard warning lights, an isolated battery circuit breaker, a 12V power socket beneath the dashboard, a heavy-duty 45-amp generator, Bosch H4 headlights, an auxiliary engine-bay fan, a modern diaphragm-spring clutch, a front disc-brake conversion, improved exhaust heat shields, an upgraded air filter, an improved electronic ignition system, an uprated fuel-injection pump, and Koni shock absorbers and springs. The restoration was completed in July 2019, with invoices totalling €708,375.
Following the restoration, the car has been maintained by John Haynes. In 2024, a detailed inspection was carried out by 300 SL specialist Martin Cushway, who rated the car as excellent in every area. Additionally, in 2025, the car was sent to Mercedes-Benz Classic in Stuttgart for the manufacturer’s expert assessment program, comparable to Ferrari Classiche certification, though considerably more detailed. Mercedes-Benz authenticated every component and confirmed that the replacement frame is an original factory frame manufactured in 1957.
Upon our acquisition, we entrusted the car to marque expert Jim Stokes for preparation ahead of the King’s Tour of Morocco, which we completed in October, covering more than 2,000 faultless kilometres. The car is presented in outstanding condition throughout, a true testament to the quality of the restoration. It would be welcome on concours lawns around the world and would make an enjoyable entrant to premier driving events such as the Colorado Grand or the California Mille.
The car is accompanied by its factory hardtop, history file, extensive restoration records, and the Mercedes-Benz manufacturer’s expert assessment report books.
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