1958 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

Sold | £657,500 GBP

• Delivered new to the United States in October 1958
• Offered from the estate of the late Barry Burnett
• Retains its matching-numbers chassis, body, differential, and steering box
• Left the factory in Silver Gray Metallic (DB 180) over a Red (1079) leather interior
• Subject of a bare metal restoration in 1988 in Germany, where the car was refinished in its current colours of Konigs Blau over a beige leather interior
• Benefits from a complete engine and injection pump rebuild by Chris Shenton in 2019
• History file includes copies of the data card, owner’s manual in English and German, service station booklet, invoices, old MoT certificates, and previous V5Cs
• Accompanied by a matching-colour hardtop roof and a New Old Stock spare windscreen

Please note there may be a delay to the buyer receiving the UK V5C following the sale, as a discrepancy is currently being corrected with the DVLA.

When Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing production ceased in 1957, its successor, the 300 SL Roadster, was launched at that year’s Geneva Auto Salon. The conversion of the 300 SL to convertible meant redesigning the chassis, which was strengthened significantly to compensate for the loss of the roof structure.

Enthusiasts who may have worried about the super-leicht going soft had absolutely no cause for concern. Thanks to a fully synchronised gearbox, greatly improved engine mechanicals, new rear axle design, and a wide range of final drive selections available to customers, the Roadster remained among the fastest-accelerating automobiles on the road.

Allocated to the United States, chassis number 8500267 was finished in Silver Gray Metallic and specified with a Red Leather interior and a Becker Mexico radio. Delivered on 7 October 1958, little is known about the first two decades of this car’s life in the United States. Come the summer of 1988, the 300 SL was owned by a German collector who instructed Borm Autolackiererei to carry out a bare metal restoration on the car. Once stripped and prepared, the coachwork was coated in the stunning shade of Konigs Blau. To complement the new body colour, Dieter Bollmeger retrimmed the interior in biscuit carpet and beige leather. The car was finally completed in August 1988, and photographs of the work are available to view on file.

Remaining in Germany for another decade, this 300 SL Roadster was imported to the United Kingdom in November 1997. It was bought by Anthony Cluck, who retained the car until 2002, when he sold it through an auction. It is believed this engine was replaced sometime prior to the late 1980s. Remaining with Brian Morrison for just three years, Barry Burnett acquired the Mercedes-Benz in June 2005 and added the car to his collection.

This 300 SL Roadster remained within the family, and in 2019 was sent to the specialists at Chris Shenton for a full engine and injection pump rebuild. Taking care to retain the period-correct components, the work was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and finally completed in October 2023, when a road test and minor adjustments were made. The invoices on file total in excess of £60,000.

Today, chassis 8500267 still presents in the charming Konigs Blau and biscuit colour combination from 1988. In June 2025 a comprehensive independent inspection was carried out; the full report is available to view on file. The car—which is complemented by a matching-colour hard-top roof—is still equipped with the replacement engine and gearbox from a 1957 300 SL Roadster; they have been with this example for nearly three decades. Numbers found on the cylinder head, block, and crankshaft indicate that it is a complete unit and not built up from multiple engines. The steering box and rear axle match the numbers on the Mercedes-Benz data card and the two front kingpins are numbered just six digits off from what is recorded on the data card, which is believed to have been a mistake at the factory.

Presenting well, this 300 SL Roadster awaits the next chapter in its life and would be an ideal example for rallies and tours.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ch25/.