Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster & One More Then Called It A Day

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is one of the three delivered in 1964 and the penultimate to see the light of day. The German automaker rolled out one more, then called it a day. That penultimate example will be auctioned off and is expected to fetch over $2 million.
 

Mercedes-Benz built the roadster for those who wanted a lightweight sports car, with racing DNA, but did not want the attention-grabbing factor of the coupe with its gullwing doors. It was an instant hit, as Mercedes built 1,858 units between 1957 and 1963, following a roughly 1,400-unit production of the coupe between 1954 and 1957.
 
This particular Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster was completed on February 7, 1963, titled as a 1964 model and as the penultimate Roadster to roll off the production line, followed by chassis 003258, which concluded the W198 lifecycle the very next day.
 
With only three examples delivered in 1964, this car stands out as a particularly rare and desirable specification. It features the coveted alloy-block engine and disc brakes that make it a prized possession for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
 
Finished in its factory-correct White (DB 050) over a Red (DB 030) leather interior, this Roadster has been maintained in a fabulously original and unmolested state, preserving matching numbers for the chassis, body, gearbox, and rear axle.
 
The car was originally delivered to Austria through a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Salzburg. It remained unsold for ten months, likely because the newer, more modern, and less expensive W113 SL had arrived, overshadowing the Roadster’s market presence.
 
In November, the car returned to Stuttgart to be converted for the North American market, which included fitting sealed-beam headlights, instruments calibrated in miles, a Becker Grand Prix radio, and whitewall tires.
 
Despite these modifications, the Roadster retained its European-specification 3.64 rear axle, and the dual factory data cards document both the original European configuration and the later North American adaptation.
 

The automobile was finally collected by its first U.S. owner, Mr. Robert Lindsay, on February 14, 1964, more than a year after its original production date. Its story finally began.
 
Mr. Lindsay maintained ownership until late 1970, with invoices and service records documenting every single step of his ownership. In January 1968, he had a new engine block and pistons fitted just 315 miles after acquisition, likely an unstamped factory spare common to the less proven alloy 3.0-litre M198 straight-six engines of the period.
 
The M198 produced 190 horsepower under the elegantly sculpted hood produced 212 horsepower (215 metric horsepower) and 144 pound-feet (196 Newton meters) of torque, thrown to the ground by a four-speed manual transmission.
 
It may not sound like much by today’s standards, but it was the era’s finest. And hey, it is the early 1960s that we are talking about, when sports cars were brutal and raw and everything in between. Supercars with roughly 1,000 horsepower and electric assistance were still light-years away.
 
By the time the car changed hands, ending up with Bill Sutherland of Spokane’s Sutherland-Marlow Mercedes-Benz in late 1970, the Roadster had accumulated roughly 28,547 miles.
 
The vehicle continued to attract collectors, including Phil Smart Sr. and his son, Phil Smart Jr., who eventually sold it but brought it back into the family in 2001. They commissioned a restoration from marque specialist Rudi Konicezk in Victoria, British Columbia, which returned the Roadster to its original White over Red color combination.
 
Throughout its life, this Roadster has remained comprehensively documented, with a history file containing invoices dating back to 1967, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Certificate, copies of factory data cards, and records of all significant maintenance and ownership transfers.
 

The 300 SL retains its factory hardtop roof, owner’s guides in their original folio, a two-piece fitted luggage set, a toolkit including jack and spare tires, and a few accolades attached to its name. All these confirm the careful custodianship this particular Roadster has enjoyed over more than half a century.
 
Technically, the Roadster is an alloy-block, disc brake-equipped example that represents the pinnacle of 300 SL engineering improvements over the course of its production. The matching-numbers chassis, gearbox, and rear axle provide authenticity and ensure that this car is a true representation of the factory specifications.
 
The mileage, recorded at 39,143 at the time of cataloguing, is believed to be original, confirming that the elegant Mercedes-Benz has never been subjected to a full disassembly or reconstruction.
 
The careful preservation and minimal modification contribute to its desirability, making it one of the finest examples of a late-production 300 SL Roadster anywhere in the world.
 
From a historical perspective, this car exemplifies the careful blend of luxury, performance, and exclusivity that Mercedes-Benz sought to achieve with the W198 series. The penultimate build status adds a layer of significance, positioning the car at the top of automotive design of the era.
 
The 1963 Mercedes-Benz SL will be auctioned off through RM Sotheby’s in Chobham, United Kingdom, and is expected to fetch around 1,495,000 pounds, which translates to approximately $2.02 million.
 
Just last year, an aluminum-body gullwing example, the most coveted version of the W198 series, which had spent years in storage, looking as if it was about to disintegrate, sold for an incredible $9,335,000.