When Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 300 SL Roadster in 1957, it wasn’t merely a new model; it was a sophisticated response to the perceived limitations of its celebrated predecessor, the 300 SL Gullwing. The most significant change was a clever redesign of the Gullwing’s tubular frame. This engineering feat allowed for the incorporation of conventional doors, dramatically improving accessibility for both driver and passenger. This enhancement also paved the way for standard wind-up windows, a welcome upgrade that significantly boosted cabin comfort.
Beyond the doors, Mercedes-Benz addressed the Gullwing’s challenging handling dynamics. The Gullwing coupe’s unforgiving high-pivot swing-axle geometry was replaced with a more predictable low-pivot swing-axle rear suspension. This revised configuration featured a transversely mounted coil spring above the differential, linked to the axles by vertical struts. This innovative system effectively minimized oversteer, providing a more stable and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The frame and suspension refinements also allowed for the use of softer coil springs. This resulted in a noticeable improvement in ride quality for the Roadster, offering a more comfortable journey without sacrificing the car’s renowned handling prowess. Under the hood, the potent inline-six-cylinder engine, a hallmark of the 300 SL, was standard-equipped with the sport camshaft. This performance-enhancing component, previously proven in the racing alloy-bodied Gullwings, provided a substantial power increase of 25 horsepower.
In 1961, Mercedes-Benz further refined the 300 SL Roadster by introducing standard four-wheel disc brakes. This advancement significantly improved the car’s stopping power, aligning the model with the leading-edge mechanical innovations found in contemporary Ferraris. A year later, in 1962, the engines underwent another key update with the adoption of aluminum alloy blocks. This change contributed to weight reduction, further enhancing the car’s performance and agility. Notably, only a select 218 Roadsters were factory-equipped with both disc brakes and alloy engine blocks. These models represent the zenith of 300 SL development, making them exceptionally rare and highly sought-after by collectors worldwide.
The specific 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster we are highlighting here boasts a meticulous two-year restoration conducted by the renowned Legendary Classic Center in Costa Mesa, California. This restoration has brought this already exceptional vehicle to an unparalleled standard. A factory data card (Fahrzeung-daten) dated February 24, 1964, confirms the car’s original specifications. Chassis number 003207 was originally finished in an elegant gray-blue (DB 166) paint, complemented by a luxurious red leather interior, and equipped with a sophisticated black hardtop. Destined for the European market, this 300 SL was fitted 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, this car features striking paint-matched “sport” wheels finished in chrome with elegant alloy rims.
While its chassis number suggests it was among the last 50 cars in numerical sequence, this particular Roadster was not completed until February 1964. This late production date makes it one of only three examples invoiced in that year and is widely believed to be the third-to-last 300 SL Roadster to ever leave the factory. The Gullwing Group’s Roadster Registry indicates that this exceptional vehicle was initially shipped to Iran. Intriguingly, strong evidence suggests it was destined for the Shah of Iran himself, a known major shareholder of Mercedes-Benz and an ardent collector of 300 SL models.
Details of this Mercedes-Benz’s early life in Iran remain largely undocumented, but one can imagine the glamorous existence it likely led. A captivating period photograph shows the Shah of Iran standing proudly next to a 300 SL Roadster on a European tarmac, with the tail of a Royal Dutch Airlines Lockheed Constellation visible in the background, hinting at international travels and high-profile associations. Eventually, the 300 SL made its way to the United States. In 1971, it was offered for sale by a reputable Seattle-based dealership specializing in prestigious marques. By the end of that year, the Roadster was acquired by an enthusiast residing in Bellingham, Washington, who lovingly cared for the car while using it sparingly.
During this long-term ownership, spanning an impressive 42 years, the 300 SL retained a remarkable degree of originality. It underwent only one repaint in the 1970s and remained mechanically original, with the exception of a factory-correct replacement rear axle. In 2013, a new chapter began when the car was sold to another marque enthusiast in Seattle, marking the end of an extraordinary period of single ownership. At the time of sale, the odometer reportedly read 80,237 km (49,857 miles), underscoring the limited use the car had experienced over four decades.
The new owner’s stewardship was brief, and in March 2014, the 300 SL was acquired by the current consignor. Recognizing the car’s exceptional potential, the consignor commissioned the Legendary Classic Center in 2015 to undertake a comprehensive, ground-up restoration. The cosmetic aspect of the restoration was meticulously executed to return the car to its original factory color combination.
Completed in 2017, this painstaking restoration resulted in a truly breathtaking presentation. Since its completion, the 300 SL has reportedly covered fewer than 10 miles, preserving its pristine condition. Accompanied by a restored set of fitted luggage and its proper hardtop, chassis number 003207 is also offered with valuable accompanying documents, including an owner’s manual in German, a service book, a Becker radio manual, and what is believed to be its original toolkit.
It is worth noting a detail regarding the engine. While the alloy engine block retains its original riveted engine number tag, the engine stamping on the block is located on the back, unlike the usual position. Additionally, a separate tag identifies the block as a factory replacement unit. Mercedes-Benz Classic Center has confirmed that type 198.982 alloy blocks were frequently replaced due to compatibility issues with over-sized pistons. Instead of rebuilding these blocks, factory practice often involved swapping them out with replacement units and re-stamping them with the original engine number. Consequently, encountering an original block on alloy-engine Roadsters is relatively 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.
Displaying 80,341 km (~49,923 miles) at the time of cataloging, boasting a remarkable 42-year period of single ownership, and impeccably restored by the Legendary Classic Center in its original factory color scheme, this captivating 1964 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster stands as a particularly distinguished, late-production example. Further amplified by its rare factory specifications – being one of only 218 examples equipped with disc brakes and an alloy engine block – it remains today, just as it was then, a shining embodiment of the apogee of 300 SL development and a true automotive icon.
