The Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, introduced in 1957, was more than just a successor to the iconic 300 SL Gullwing; it was a significant evolution that addressed key areas for improvement while retaining the soul of its predecessor. By 1964, the 300 SL Roadster had reached its zenith, embodying a blend of performance, luxury, and refinement that continues to captivate automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
When comparing the Roadster to the Gullwing, the most immediate difference was the redesigned tube frame. This modification allowed for the integration of conventional doors, a welcome change that greatly enhanced accessibility. Gone were the challenging acrobatics required to enter the Gullwing; the Roadster offered a more dignified and practical entry and exit. This structural change also facilitated the installation of standard wind-up windows, a seemingly small but impactful upgrade that significantly improved cabin comfort, particularly in varying weather conditions.
Beyond accessibility and comfort, Mercedes-Benz engineers tackled the Gullwing’s challenging handling characteristics. The original coupe’s high-pivot swing-axle geometry was replaced with a low-pivot swing-axle rear suspension in the Roadster. This refined configuration incorporated a transverse coil spring mounted above the differential, linked to the axles via vertical struts. This innovative system effectively minimized oversteer, providing drivers with more predictable and stable handling, especially at higher speeds and during cornering. Furthermore, the frame and suspension redesign allowed for the use of softer coil springs. This resulted in a noticeable improvement in ride quality, making the Roadster a more comfortable grand tourer without sacrificing its sporty handling capabilities. Under the hood, the highly acclaimed inline-six-cylinder engine came standard with the sport camshaft, previously a feature of the racing alloy-bodied Gullwings. This performance enhancement boosted horsepower by a significant 25 units, further solidifying the Roadster’s sporting credentials.
The relentless pursuit of automotive advancement continued, and in 1961, four-wheel disc brakes became standard equipment on the 300 SL Roadster. This crucial upgrade dramatically improved stopping power, bringing the car’s braking performance in line with contemporary advancements seen in high-performance marques like Ferrari. Just a year later, in 1962, further engine refinements arrived in the form of aluminum alloy blocks. These lighter blocks contributed to weight reduction, enhancing the car’s overall agility and performance. Notably, only 218 Roadsters were ever produced with the combination of disc brakes and alloy engine blocks. These models represent the ultimate evolution of the 300 SL, making them exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors today.
The 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster we are highlighting is a particularly special example, representing not just the model’s peak but also its final production year. Chassis number 003207, as confirmed by its factory data card dated February 24, 1964, was originally finished in the elegant gray-blue (DB 166) paint, complemented by a luxurious red leather interior and a black hardtop. Specified for the discerning European market, this 300 SL was equipped with the desirable one-piece headlamp lenses, further protected by rare factory stone-guard mesh covers. In keeping with the style of late-production Roadsters, it featured paint-matched “sport” wheels, finished in chrome with elegant alloy rims.
While its chassis number suggests it was approximately the 50th-to-last car in the production sequence, this specific Roadster was not completed until February 1964. This late production date gives it the distinction of being one of only three examples invoiced in 1964 and is believed to be the third-to-last 300 SL Roadster to ever leave the factory. Adding to its mystique, records from the Gullwing Group’s Roadster Registry indicate that this car was shipped to Iran. Intriguingly, strong evidence suggests it was destined for none other than the Shah of Iran himself. As a significant shareholder in Mercedes-Benz and a known avid collector of 300 SLs, the Shah’s ownership would certainly add to this car’s provenance and allure.
Although the specific details of this Mercedes-Benz’s early life in Iran remain shrouded in some mystery, a period photograph provides a tantalizing glimpse into its possible glamorous beginnings. The photograph depicts the Shah of Iran standing proudly next to a 300 SL Roadster on a European tarmac, with the tail section of a Royal Dutch Airlines Lockheed Constellation aircraft visible in the background. This image evokes a sense of luxury, travel, and high society, befitting a car of this caliber and its potential owner. Eventually, this 300 SL made its way to the United States. By 1971, it was offered for sale by a reputable Seattle-based dealership specializing in prestigious marques. Later that year, it was acquired by an enthusiast residing in Bellingham, Washington, who cherished and meticulously maintained the car while using it sparingly.
During its 42-year stewardship under this single owner, the 300 SL retained an exceptional degree of originality. It received only one repaint in the 1970s, and mechanically, it remained as original as possible. It is noted that the factory-equipped rear axle was replaced with a correct original unit at some point. In 2013, a new chapter began when the car was sold to another marque aficionado in Seattle, marking the end of an impressive four decades of single ownership. At the time of this sale, the odometer reportedly read a mere 80,237 kilometers (approximately 49,857 miles), testament to the limited use it had enjoyed.
The subsequent ownership was brief, with the Mercedes-Benz being sold again in March 2014 to its current consignor. Recognizing the car’s exceptional foundation, the consignor commissioned a comprehensive, ground-up restoration in 2015 by the renowned Legendary Classic Center in Costa Mesa, California. The cosmetic restoration meticulously adhered to the car’s original factory color combination, ensuring authenticity and concours-level presentation.
Completed in 2017, this meticulous restoration resulted in a truly breathtaking example of the 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. Since its restoration, it has reportedly accrued fewer than 10 miles, essentially preserving its pristine, as-new condition. Accompanied by a restored set of fitted luggage and its proper hardtop, chassis number 003207 is also offered with valuable original accessories, including an owner’s manual in German, a service book, a Becker radio manual, and what is believed to be its original toolkit.
An important detail to note is the alloy engine block. While it retains its original riveted engine number tag, the engine stamping on the block is located on the back, an unusual location, and it also features a separate tag identifying it as a factory replacement unit. Mercedes-Benz Classic Center has confirmed that type 198.982 alloy blocks were frequently replaced due to incompatibility issues with over-sized pistons. Instead of rebuilding these blocks, the factory practice was to swap them out with replacement units and re-stamp them with the original engine number. Consequently, encountering an original block on alloy-engine Roadsters is quite uncommon. However, the presence of the original riveted number tag and the documented factory replacement block actually enhance this car’s authenticity, placing it among the most genuine disc-braked, alloy-engined Roadsters available.
Currently displaying 80,341 kilometers (~49,923 miles) at the time of cataloging, boasting a 42-year period of single ownership, and expertly restored by the Legendary Classic Center to its original factory specifications, this 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster stands as a truly exceptional and highly desirable example. As one of only 218 factory-equipped with disc brakes and an alloy engine block, it represents the absolute pinnacle of 300 SL Roadster development and remains, today as it was then, an automotive masterpiece.
