6 Minutes
Mercedes‑Benz Built This 300 SL Roadster and One More, Then Called It a Day
The Mercedes‑Benz 300 SL Roadster has long been one of the most desirable post‑war sports cars: a refined road‑going race car with graceful coachwork and true motorsport DNA. One example from the very end of production — completed on February 7, 1963 and titled as a 1964 model — is the penultimate Roadster to roll off the W198 assembly line. Mercedes built just three Roadsters that carried 1964 model-year paperwork; the factory produced one more vehicle the following day, then ended the W198 run. That rare late‑production car is now consigned to RM Sotheby’s in Chobham and is estimated to bring roughly £1,495,000 (about $2.02 million).
Why this 300 SL Roadster matters
This specific 300 SL Roadster is an unusually rare specification: one of only three delivered in 1964, fitted with the sought‑after alloy‑block M198 engine and factory disc brakes. Those features represent the most advanced engineering updates applied to the W198 during its production life, making late production Roadsters particularly attractive to collectors who prize originality and authentic performance upgrades.
Design and original specification
Finished in factory White (DB 050) over Red leather (DB 030), the car remains in an exceptionally original and unmolested state. The restoration and ownership history preserve matching numbers for chassis, body, gearbox, and rear axle — a crucial factor for authenticity and value in the classic Mercedes market.
Coachwork and interior
The Roadster removes the theatrical gullwing doors of the earlier coupe while retaining the same low‑slung, aerodynamic silhouette and sculpted fenders. Its two‑seat open layout, optional hardtop, and luxurious leather appointments made it the premier grand tourer of its era. This example retains its factory hardtop, a two‑piece fitted luggage set, original owner’s guides in their folio, and the complete toolkit including jack and spare wheel — all items that strengthen provenance and appeal to collectors.
Provenance and ownership history
Originally delivered to a Mercedes‑Benz dealer in Salzburg, Austria, the car sat unsold for roughly ten months — a likely consequence of the new W113 SL appearing on the market as a fresher and less costly alternative. In November it returned to Stuttgart for conversion to North American specification: sealed‑beam headlights, instrument dials calibrated in miles, a Becker Grand Prix radio, and whitewall tires were fitted. Despite these adaptations, the car retained its European 3.64 rear axle ratio and the factory documentation preserves both the original European and later North American configurations.
The Roadster ultimately crossed to the United States, where its first American owner, Robert Lindsay, collected it on February 14, 1964. Mr. Lindsay kept meticulous invoices and service records through his ownership. Later stewards, including Bill Sutherland of Sutherland‑Marlow Mercedes‑Benz and collectors Phil Smart Sr. and Jr., added to the documented history. The Smarts commissioned specialist Rudi Konicezk in Victoria, British Columbia to return the car to its original White over Red livery, reinforcing its factory‑correct appearance.
Vehicle specifications
Key technical details for this late‑production 300 SL Roadster include:
- Model: Mercedes‑Benz 300 SL Roadster (W198)
- Production completion: February 7, 1963 (titled 1964)
- Engine: 3.0‑litre inline‑6 M198 alloy block (late‑production version)
- Power output: factory listed around 212 hp (215 PS) and 144 lb‑ft (196 Nm) — contemporary sources sometimes list 190–212 hp depending on configuration
- Transmission: 4‑speed manual
- Brakes: factory disc brakes (upgraded from early drum setups)
- Rear axle ratio: European 3.64 (retained despite NA conversion)
- Matching numbers: chassis, gearbox, rear axle and body confirmed
Performance and driving character
While the quoted horsepower may sound modest against modern performance cars, the 300 SL was a high‑performance machine in the early 1960s. The alloy‑block M198 straight‑six delivered strong, linear power, and the combination of a lightweight body, low center of gravity, and precise steering produced an exhilarating, analog driving experience. The four‑speed manual and relatively narrow tires of the period meant the Roadster demanded driver involvement — a quality celebrated by collectors who prefer raw, mechanical feedback to today’s electronically managed dynamics.
Market positioning and collector value
Mercedes produced 1,858 Roadsters between 1957 and 1963, following roughly 1,400 gullwing coupes made from 1954 to 1957. The Roadster was aimed at buyers who wanted the race‑bred performance and engineering of the 300 SL without the attention‑grabbing gullwing doors. Late‑production examples with alloy blocks, disc brakes, and matching numbers occupy a premium position in the collector car market because they blend the highest level of factory engineering with provenance and originality.
Comparisons: Roadster vs gullwing
Collectors often place aluminum‑bodied gullwing coupes at the very top of W198 desirability, reflecting their rarity and coupe‑only aluminum construction. Last year an aluminum‑body gullwing that had been stored for years and looked near collapse achieved an extraordinary $9,335,000. Roadsters, especially late‑production alloy‑block cars like this penultimate unit, represent a compelling balance of drivability, exclusivity, and attainable rarity compared with the most extreme gullwings.
Condition, documentation, and mileage
The car’s catalogued mileage stood at 39,143 and is believed to be original — an important factor for buyers seeking unrestored or sympathetically maintained originals rather than full nut‑and‑bolt restorations. Its history file is comprehensive: invoices dating back to 1967, Mercedes‑Benz Classic Certificate, copies of factory data cards, and records of major maintenance and ownership transfers are all present. Combined with the car’s matching numbers and preserved accessories, this documentation underlines careful custodianship across more than five decades.
Auction details and outlook
This penultimate 300 SL Roadster will be offered by RM Sotheby’s at their Chobham sale and is estimated at approximately £1,495,000 (about $2.02 million). Given the model’s enduring popularity among collectors, its factory alloy engine, disc brakes, matching numbers, and exemplary documentation, bidders are likely to show keen interest. For enthusiasts who value authenticity, historic performance, and elegant coachwork, this late‑production W198 Roadster is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the finest examples of the breed.
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