Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster - 1957 Serial number: 19804275000246 Engine: in-line six-cylinder alloy block and head, type M198 Bore x stroke: 85 x 88 mm Capacity: 2 996 cc Timing gear: SOHC, 2 valves per cylinder Intake: Bosch injection Compression ratio: 8.55:1 Maximum power: 240 bhp @ 5 800 rpm Transmission: 4-ratio + R manual gearbox Chassis frame: steel tube spaceframe Body: 2-door cabriolet Front suspension: independent, double wishbones, coil springs and telescopic shocks, antiroll bar Rear suspension: independent, swing axles, coil springs and telescopic shocks Wheelbase: 2 400 mm Front track: 1 385 mm Rear track: 1 435 mm Dry weight: 1 050 kg Brakes: four discs, hydraulic ATE Wheels: 15" alloy and steel rims Tyres: 185 VR 15 Performance: 240 kph/150 mph max. speed Production: 1 858 cars from 1957 to 1963 Five years at least were needed for Daimler-Benz to reconstruct their plants after WW II. Starting with the pre-war 170 V, production turned to more luxurious models as soon as 1951 with the 300-series. Meanwhile, the racing department was in charge of building new cars on the basis of the 300 engine. This unit was modified under the control of Rudolf Uhlenhaut. With a new camshaft, a 8:1 compression ratio and a dry-sump lubrication system, power jumped to 171 bhp. A tubular spaceframe chassis was designed and built but to obtain sufficient rigidity, the door sills had to be very high and the doors were articulated on the roof. So the "Gullwing" coupé was born and officially designated 300 SL. This car started a brilliant career in top-level international racing winning at Le Mans and the Carrera Panamericana among other important events in sports cars racing. Thanks to the injection, the 300 SL engine delivered up to 208 bhp. This injected version gave way to the production 300 SL, a type suggested by the American importer along with the 190 SL model. The production 300 SL introduced in Feb. 1954 at the New York Motor Show was closely related to the works racing car with its slanted engine, its direct-injection engine, its finned brake drums and its light and rigid spaceframe chassis. The production body was in steel with alloy boot lid and doors. In 1955, 29 all-alloy bodied cars were built for customers and fitted with 240-bhp engines. These cars won many events in 1955 and 1956. They were perfect road-racing models capable of being driven every day in these happy times. During 4 years, 1400 "Gullwing" coupés were built. The last year, the "Roadster" was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1957 in order to restart the sales. This car was 5 cm (2") longer and the engine benefitted of the "hot" camshaft (optional on the coupé) and moreover a better articulated rear axle was designed improving greatly the roadholding. The car of the sale #19804275000246 is a modified racing 300 SL roadster coming from the United States. Its previous owners were Bud Owen and Emil Duelle of Santa Barbara (Calif.). On its original chassis an aluminium roadster body (made by Rolf Meyer and his mechanic) had been fitted, having the same sizes as the original roadsters. The car had been fitted with ATE two-piston brake calipers and 290/12,7 mm discs at the front and 260/9 mm discs at the rear. The engine was rebuilt by Rolf Meyer's mechanic. The head received 49 mm inlet and 42,1 mm exhaust valves. The compression ratio was raised, the pistons are special Mahle ones, the inlet manifold is specific and the inlet ports had been enlarged and polished. The engine block is in aluminium with a special camshaft and a racing-type injection pump. The car has a double exhaust system and a FIA-approved safety fuel cell. The gearbox which is being overhauled at the moment will be fitted back on to the car and tested prior to the sale. See continuation