The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL was conceived initially as a purpose-built racing sports car (W 194).
In 1952, the coupe notched up an impressive record of success in the year’s major races. At the Grand Prix in Bern the 300 SL sealed a clean sweep of the podium places, an awesome performance backed up by a one-two finish ahead of a stunned field in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Nürburgring duly yielded another one-two-three, and the new Mercedes racing sports car also claimed victory in the Carrera Panamericana in Mexico. It all added up to a majestic return to motor sport for Mercedes-Benz, picking up where the brand had left off during a highly successful period before the Second World War.
Although there were initially no plans to send the 300 SL into series production, the Daimler-Benz Board had been left with the words of Maximilian (“Maxi”) Hoffman ringing in their ears. The official importer of Mercedes-Benz cars into America campaigned tirelessly for a sports car to offer his well-heeled clientele, and the 300 SL racer fitted the bill perfectly. After lengthy deliberations, the green light was given for series production of the road-trim 300 SL (W 198), as well as a smaller, open-top sports car, the 190 SL (W 121).
The two models were due to celebrate their premieres less than six months after the Board had granted the project their approval. The occasion was the International Motor Sports Show taking place in New York from February 6 –14, 1954 and at the time America’s most important auto show. The engineers rose to the challenge of their race against the clock, and the 300 SL and its smaller brother, the 190 SL, were ready to receive the acclaim of the admiring crowds. Series production began in Sindelfingen in August 1954 and the price was fixed at 29,000 Marks – a quite enormous sum at the time, especially when you compared the new model alongside the Mercedes-Benz 170 Vb – on sale at 7,900 Marks.
Throughout the golden age, classic cars were seen as a luxury item that only the most rich and famous could afford. A huge part of living a successful life was driving something that looks the part, so alongside Hollywood stars came their cars. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster actress Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner, Tony Curtis, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Romy Schneider, Clark Gable, Gunter Sachs, Glenn Ford, Horst Buchholz, Curd Jürgens, Juan Perón, Stavros Niarchos, Porfirio Rubirosa, Rob Walker, Juan Manuel Fangio, Herbert von Karajan, and Syd Mead these are just a few of the famous owners of this sleek sports car.
Production 1957 – 1963
Production of the mercedes-benz 300 SL Roadster ended on February 8, 1963.