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‘Simply Stunning’: 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Hits the Auction Block
By Mark Jessen - News Published:
If you’ve never driven in a car with the top down and the wind flowing around you, then you should really add it to your bucket list. It’s a simple yet amazing experience that is well worth having. As evidence of that, you might check out the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. The luxury automaker not only created an unparalleled experience with this car, but they also invested even further, improving upon the previously released 300 SL Gullwing. If you want to cross this item off your list, you’re in luck – RM Sotheby’s has an example of this open-air car up for auction.
RELATED: Inside Mansory’s Ridiculous Suicide Door-Equipped G-Wagen.
Similarly spec’d Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for reference | Image: Supplied
To make the SL Roadster an improvement over the Gullwing, not only did Mercedes-Benz take the top off, but it also invested in extensive chassis revisions that increased the torsional rigidity and swapped out the gullwing doors for the traditional hinged doors with roll-down windows. A single-pivot trailing arm was added to the rear axle in place of the Gullwing’s dual-pivot system – an improvement that eliminated the Gullwing’s tendency to oversteer.
The car being offered by Sotheby’s came off the line with a silver-grey metallic finish and a red leather interior before being delivered to “Lt. Bowder,” who later brought the car back to the United States after being stationed in Germany. Because the original owner was tall, several modifications were added, including lowering the driver and passenger seats by 2.5 centimetres and extending the steering column. The car also received special wiring and circuits for additional fog lamps and extra reverse light.
The car changed hands many times over the years before it ended up with an owner that sent it to Rudi Koniczek of Rudi & Company in Victoria, British Columbia, for a complete renovation. Rudy and his team stripped the car down to the bare metal, updated components, rebuilt the engine and gearbox, and returned it to its original finish. If you want to experience that open-air driving sensation, then doing it in a car that was seemingly made just for that is the way to go. Just head over to RM Sotheby’s to find out how to get your hands on this priceless 300 SL Roadster.
Similarly spec’d Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for reference | Image: Supplied
Similarly spec’d Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for reference | Image: Supplied
Similarly spec’d Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for reference | Image: Supplied
Similarly spec’d Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for reference | Image: Supplied
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