1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Seller's description
French title
Chassis n° 198.042-10-002781
Engine n° 198.980-10-02843
Chassis n° 198.042-10-002781
Engine n° 198.980-10-02843
- Completely restored by Mercedes Grunning & Sohn KG
- Disc brakes, aluminium engine block
- Delivered with hard-top in original wooden case
- Legendary model
- The second 300 SL built with disc brakes
- Disc brakes, aluminium engine block
- Delivered with hard-top in original wooden case
- Legendary model
- The second 300 SL built with disc brakes
This is no ordinary 300 SL roadster : according to its chassis number, this was the second example to be delivered with disc brakes. It was from number 02780 that this modification appeared in 1961, bringing with it undeniable progress in terms of safety.
Sold new in 1961, this car was imported from California into Germany, by renowned Mercedes collector Erich K. Hillgruber. In fact, he was living between the west coast of America and Hamburg. It was in Hamburg where the car was then sold to Mr Claus P. Armbruster. The new owner entrusted the car to the dealer Mercedes Grunning & Sohn KG, who installed a new aluminium engine block, ordered from the factory on 4 May 1984 (order no. 2094), undoubtedly one of the last available from the factory. The restoration took three years and during this time, it was repainted, from white to black, and the red leather upholstery was replaced with cream leather matching factory specifications. When the work was finished, Mr Armbruster enjoyed his newly renovated car for nearly thirty years, covering just 20,000 km during this time. This superb 300 SL was bought by the current owner at our last Le Mans Classic sale in 2014. A great car enthusiast and well-known businessman, he has chosen to part with the car for several reasons. Firstly, his preference is for rare versions of French marques, such as his splendid Citroën SM cabriolet Mylord and his Panhard PL17 Cabriolet that he drives almost daily. Secondly he now wants to raise funds for a new project. Having been used sparingly and maintained meticulously, the car is presented in excellent condition today. Since 2014 it has been diligently maintained by the Parisian specialist Sport Leicht. It is equipped with a Becker radio, and original hardtop in the original wooden case that it was delivered with, suitcases and a toolkit. It comes with all the invoices from the restoration and photos.
The 300 SL roadster is one of the most mesmerising cars of the 1950s/1960s. Although the Gullwing 300 SL had an even more spectacular appearance, it was not such a user-friendly car, having a small, rather claustrophobic cockpit. The roadster combined the sophisticated engineering of a car that was very advanced for its day, with the enjoyment of relaxed open-top driving. Its six-cylinder injection engine was derived from competition and ensured a top-notch performance, and these technical qualities were combined with a level of luxury and comfort that only the most exclusive cars offered. This example, with hardtop, will provide the same driving experience as a Gullwing during the winter months, without the inconvenience of the high door sills.
With its rivals from that period, the BMW 507 roadster and the Ferrari 250 California, the 300 SL is one of the genuinely iconic cars that have left their mark on the history of the automobile during the second half of the 20th century. This particular example is the second to have been delivered with disc brakes and is presented in wonderful condition in every respect.
Sold new in 1961, this car was imported from California into Germany, by renowned Mercedes collector Erich K. Hillgruber. In fact, he was living between the west coast of America and Hamburg. It was in Hamburg where the car was then sold to Mr Claus P. Armbruster. The new owner entrusted the car to the dealer Mercedes Grunning & Sohn KG, who installed a new aluminium engine block, ordered from the factory on 4 May 1984 (order no. 2094), undoubtedly one of the last available from the factory. The restoration took three years and during this time, it was repainted, from white to black, and the red leather upholstery was replaced with cream leather matching factory specifications. When the work was finished, Mr Armbruster enjoyed his newly renovated car for nearly thirty years, covering just 20,000 km during this time. This superb 300 SL was bought by the current owner at our last Le Mans Classic sale in 2014. A great car enthusiast and well-known businessman, he has chosen to part with the car for several reasons. Firstly, his preference is for rare versions of French marques, such as his splendid Citroën SM cabriolet Mylord and his Panhard PL17 Cabriolet that he drives almost daily. Secondly he now wants to raise funds for a new project. Having been used sparingly and maintained meticulously, the car is presented in excellent condition today. Since 2014 it has been diligently maintained by the Parisian specialist Sport Leicht. It is equipped with a Becker radio, and original hardtop in the original wooden case that it was delivered with, suitcases and a toolkit. It comes with all the invoices from the restoration and photos.
The 300 SL roadster is one of the most mesmerising cars of the 1950s/1960s. Although the Gullwing 300 SL had an even more spectacular appearance, it was not such a user-friendly car, having a small, rather claustrophobic cockpit. The roadster combined the sophisticated engineering of a car that was very advanced for its day, with the enjoyment of relaxed open-top driving. Its six-cylinder injection engine was derived from competition and ensured a top-notch performance, and these technical qualities were combined with a level of luxury and comfort that only the most exclusive cars offered. This example, with hardtop, will provide the same driving experience as a Gullwing during the winter months, without the inconvenience of the high door sills.
With its rivals from that period, the BMW 507 roadster and the Ferrari 250 California, the 300 SL is one of the genuinely iconic cars that have left their mark on the history of the automobile during the second half of the 20th century. This particular example is the second to have been delivered with disc brakes and is presented in wonderful condition in every respect.
Contact Artcurial Motorcars for more details.
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