Following the remarkable success of the legendary 300SL Gullwing coupe, in 1957 Mercedes-Benz introduced its successor: the 300SL Roadster. First shown to the public at the Geneva Auto Salon, the new model incorporated a strengthened frame to accommodate conventional doors, increased trunk space, the most luxurious interior of any grand-touring automobile of its time, and a new rear suspension design that vastly improved roadholding. The coupe’s Bosch fuel-injected 3.0L inline-6 engine remained in service, employing increased compression, dry sump oiling and dual coil ignition, with output increased to 225 and 250 HP and an impressive 202 lb-ft of torque. While not as aerodynamically efficient as the coupe, the Roadster could reach well in excess of 140 MPH, an outstanding figure at the time. Certainly the car by which all other grand-touring roadsters were measured, the 300SL remains at the top of every Mercedes-Benz enthusiast’s list of dream machines, especially such specimens as this first-year U.S. market example, No. 526 of just 618 300SL Roadsters manufactured that year. Serving for 50 years as a centerpiece of the venerated Rodolfo Junco De La Vega Collection up until 2023, the car was sold new through a New Orleans, Louisiana, Studebaker dealer in December 1957. Documentation shows that the car was finished in the tasteful combination of Code DB 608 Ivory with a red leather interior and black soft top. Optional equipment included the U.S. market exclusive Super-Leicht 3.89 rear end, sealed beam headlamps, a Becker Mexico radio and standard disc wheels. After a year with its second owner in San Antonio, Texas, through 1972, the car was purchased by De La Vega in 1973 as a gift for his wife, after which it was restored mechanically and refinished in her preferred combination of medium blue over a matching blue leather interior. In 2010, De La Vega commissioned a second restoration to return the Roadster to its factory-correct DB608 color combination and factory-correct specs, retaining the original body. Finished once more in beautiful Ivory paint with superb fabric soft top and interior upholstery by Havana, Florida, artisan Benny Lesch, the completed Roadster attracted the attention of Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Founder and President Bill Warner, who invited De La Vega to display the car there in 2012. Powered by a 2996cc inline 6-cylinder engine backed by a matching-numbers gearbox and Super-Leicht 3.89 rear end, the Roadster still presents in splendid concours condition with the added benefit of a recent mechanical refreshing by highly regarded specialists Bob Smith Coachworks in Gainesville, Texas. Upgrades included a new clutch, pilot bearing, fuel lines, water pump, distributor cap, spark plugs and wires, generator, valve cover gasket, transmission and engine mounts, and a resurfaced flywheel. Additionally, the starter, regulator, brake booster, master cylinder, fuel tank and fuel-injection unit have been rebuilt or refurbished, and the radiator and oil cooler have received new cores. An enduring 20th century classic characterized by timeless beauty, impressive performance and grand-touring luxury, this magnificent first-year 300SL Roadster enjoys an impressive long-term owner history and is offered with documentation including books, manuals and a copy of the factory build sheet.
