1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

A beautiful, matching numbers, 300SL Roadster from long-term private ownership Supplied new to the USA in 1958 and imported to the UK in 1999 Fully documented restoration by a 'Who's Who' of the UK's leading 300SL specialists Returned to the road in 2001 and continuously maintained by a succession of marque experts From a genuine and enthusiastic private owner. For sale for the first time in nearly twenty years Persuaded by New York's Max Hoffman, the legendary, larger-than-life, post-war Mercedes distributor for North America, the factory agreed to produce a road-going version of their dominant W194 Sports Racing Car car to appeal to the American market and create a new brand image for the German manufacturer. It was to be known as the 300SL, featured a number of technological firsts, and would be produced in comparatively low numbers. It was a significant commercial success and today is undoubtedly the most collectable Mercedes-Benz of them all. Launched in 1954, as a two-seater coupÚ with distinctive 'Gull-wing doors', it was badged '300 SL' (Sport Leicht/ Sport Light) and was followed a couple of years later by the convertible 'Roadster'. Both cars utilised direct mechanical fuel injection, a synchromesh gearbox, and power brakes, the first ever production cars to do so, and power output was an impressive 212bhp, 25% up on the Le Mans W194 and not far short of the 250bhp developed by the W196 R Grand Prix car. Uniquely, the car was clothed in a steel body enveloping a welded aluminium spaceframe chassis making it considerably stronger and more rigid without the penalty of extra weight. The bonnet, doors and boot lid were all aluminium, helping the SL to live up to the