1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

This 1959 Mercedes-Benz 300SL is one of 1,858 roadsters built during a six-year production run and is one of 211 examples manufactured in 1959.

It retains its numbers-matching 3.0L M198 inline-six with Bosch direct fuel injection as well as its original four-speed manual transmission and front axles.

The 3.0-liter M198 inline-six was carried over from the fixed-roof 300SL to the roadster variant and shares its canted orientation, Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication, and aluminum cylinder head.

Revisions for the roadster include a standard competition camshaft, dual point/dual coil ignition, and various fuel system refinements.

This example’s spark plugs were replaced in preparation for the sale.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via an all-synchromesh four-speed manual transmission and a 3.89:1 differential.

The roadster’s four-wheel independent suspension utilizes a single-pivot rear axle with a compensator spring for improved stability over the coupe’s double-pivot design.

The car is accompanied by a body-color removable hardtop with 300SL pillar badges, while a beige soft top has been fitted in lieu of the factory-appointed black soft top.

Features include North American-specification headlights, bumper guards at front and rear, a Talbot side mirror, pivot-out door handles, narrow-profile rear rocker panel end flanges, and fender louvers framed by grooved accent lines that extend onto the quarter panel doglegs.

Chrome-finished steel wheels wear matching trim rings and hubcaps with body-color centers and are wrapped in 215/70VR15 Michelin XWX tires.

A matching tire is mounted on a spare secured beneath the trunk floor.

Servo-assisted braking is handled by finned aluminum drums at each corner, with duplex actuation from single-piston cylinders up front.

The cabin is trimmed in dark gray leather over the bucket seats, door panels, dash, center tunnel, and aluminum tonneau panel in place of the cream upholstery listed on the car’s factory delivery note.

Charcoal square-weave carpeting covers the floors, outer seatbacks, and rear shelf, while black and red Coco Mats line the footwells.

Interior features include roll-up windows, a locking glovebox, a dash-mounted ashtray, and a Becker Mexico TR radio with a Reims adapter.

The ivory-color steering wheel is accented by a chrome horn ring and frames VDO instrumentation including a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and a rectangular combination gauge with English lettering.

The five-digit odometer shows 22k miles,TMU.