Beschreibung
For sale in our forthcoming auction during Le Mans Classic, on 30 June 2023:
Dutch title
Châssis n° 198 042 85 00 155
Moteur n° 198 980 85 00 134
- High-quality restoration
- Limited number of owners
- Same owner between 1958 and 1996
- Legendary model
- Matching numbers
Launched at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show, the 300 SL roadster succeeded the "butterfly" coupe and represented the perfect compromise between a high-level sporting pedigree and the refinement that customers would expect at this price and for this car. It would reach 240 km/ h and was just as suitable for long journeys as for a visit to the opera with a passenger in an evening dress, all in perfect safety thanks in particular to its new rear suspension. With its mix of sport and luxury, it symbolised the post-war awakening.
After leaving the factory on the 5th September 1958, this Mercedes 300 SL roadster was painted in "Hellblau" (sky blue, code 334) with dark blue interior (code 333) and dark blue hood. Catered for American specifications, it was also equipped with an Autobecker Mexico car radio.
According to old registration certificates in the United States, this splendid roadster was owned by Robert Gentry since new in Pasadena (near Los Angeles), under the Californian registration JVV 220. A certificate of title dated from 1996 indicates that Marion Gentry, member of the same family, was the owner with the registration 3PS117.
Marion Gentry sold this 300 SL roadster in 1996 to a German enthusiast called Klaus Hempe (living in Pocking), who entrusted it to Euro-Classic Coachwork in Pasadena to be restored, before importing it to Germany in 2005 and registering it STA-KH 13H. Pictures of the restoration indicate extremely meticulous works with a full dismantling, stripping down of the tubular chassis and bodywork, then painting of the whole car and in parallel with the complete repair of all mechanical components. The result is wonderful and it was in this period that it embraced the metallic grey colour with red leather upholstery.
In 2010, Mr. Hempe sold this Mercedes 300 SL to Mr. Vereenooghe (from Roeselare in Belgium) who registered it 1 ZZH 250. He kept it for four and sold it in July 2014 to Mr. Jean Wicki, a famous Swiss who first registered it in Great Britain as 139 UYH. The latter kept it until 2021, when HK Engineering sold it to its current owner, while carrying out major upgrades in 2022.
The restoration is simply magnificent after going through Euro-Classic Coachwork in Pasadena and HK Engineering in Germany; the car is now presented in all its glory and in a colour combination that suits it perfectly. A large number of documents is included with this car, which we invite interested parties to consult. (Old registration certificate, invoices, restoration pictures, Mercedes Classic certificate of authenticity, FIVA identity card, etc.) It's worth mentioning that a few 300 SL roadster cars are on the market but the prohibitive cost of a quality restoration must be taken into consideration, around €500, 000. In this case, the restoration work was carried out in an exceptional manner and its future owner will just have to enjoy its boundless new life, its elegance and its prestige on sunny country roads or on the lawns of Concours d'Elegance events.
Photos © Luuk van Kaathoven
Auction estimate: €1 200 000 / €1 500 000
