In automotive history there are some models that, for various reasons, have become true legends on wheels. On many occasions, this is usually linked to a very high economic revaluation. And it is that there are cases that, far beyond being mere cars, become true treasures.
There is no doubt that one of them is the 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL roadster that you can see in the photographs. The origins of this model date back to 1954, the year it was introduced as a coupe. Three years later, the roadster version landed. Being a racing-inspired two-seat sports car, it was not meant to be mass-produced.
For this reason, when the model was discontinued in 1963, there were just over 3,200 units around the world, counting the different bodies, which increased its price as the years went by. As is often the case with exclusive, high-value vehicles, the limited number of 300SLs caused many units to change hands numerous times.
Some of them were lost along the way, others fell into disrepair, but the ones that have survived to this day are considered rolling jewels. This roadster was built in 1963, the last year the model was in production. Over the decades, it was owned by drivers from the US, Japan and Kuwait, and now it has returned to American soil for a forthcoming auction in Monterey, California.
Although the figure that will end up paying for him is still unknown, it is expected that it will exceed two million euros. In fact, it is expected that it could approach 2.3 million. The car integrates a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine and its last restoration, carried out by the German specialists from HK-Engineering, was carried out in 2003.
Since then, the vehicle has hardly been driven, but it has been receiving its appropriate maintenance and has remained most of the time in a garage with specific air conditioning for optimal conservation. The contrast between the white color of the bodywork (the same original tone) with the red leather interior is striking.
One of the reasons why a disbursement as high as the one commented is expected consists of the fact that it is one of the 209 units that use the aluminum alloy block.
The car includes a set of tools and a luggage pack to match the leather of the passenger compartment. Regarding the documentation, this Mercedes is sold with a copy of the factory data card and with the original owner's manual.
If you are interested in appreciating a 300 SL roadster from the sixties (almost modeled on the one that will go up for auction) in greater detail, all you have to do is take a look at the video that accompanies this article.
