This 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster currently offered on Bring A Trailer is a rare example, with only 1,858 produced over six years, including 249 in 1960. Chassis 002625 is a US-market car originally sold in Stuttgart, Germany, to an American Air Force captain who brought it to Arizona.
The car changed hands several times before being purchased by a California mechanic and Gull Wing Group member in 1977. During his 34-year ownership, he reportedly rebuilt the 3.0-liter M198 inline-six engine. The car then passed through two owners in British Columbia before spending a decade with a single family in Nevada and California. It was recently acquired by the selling dealer in 2023.
This 300SL is finished in white over black leather and features a range of high-performance options, including Bosch direct fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication, a four-speed manual transmission, hydraulic drum brakes, four-wheel independent suspension with a low-pivot rear axle, chrome-finished wheels, a body-color removable hardtop, a black soft top, and a Becker Mexico radio.
The roadster model debuted at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, with construction incorporating an evolution of the coupe’s tubular space frame, which was reconfigured to accommodate conventional doors and provide more trunk space. Bodywork remained in steel with aluminum used for the hood, trunk lid, door skins, sills, floors, and bulkhead.
This particular example wears an older repaint in its original white shade and features North American-spec headlights, bumper guards, pivot-out door handles, rear reflectors, and dual fender-mounted side mirrors. The cabin is trimmed in black leather, with charcoal square-weave carpeting and latch-and-link lap belts. Imperfections include a split seam on the driver-seat outer bolster and wear on the lower dash trim.
The 300SL roadster’s 3.0-liter M198 inline-six engine shares its canted orientation, Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection, and dry-sump lubrication with the fixed-roof variant. The competition camshaft that was optional on the coupe was made standard for the roadster, along with a dual point/dual coil ignition system and various fuel system refinements.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via an all-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission, and the car’s four-wheel independent suspension utilizes a single-pivot rear axle with a compensator spring for improved stability.
The car has a total mileage of 126k miles.
Note: All photos are courtesy of Bring A Trailer
