In today’s economy, the rather ‘strange’ world of vintage cars makes even less sense. I suppose they are the antithesis of electric cars in truth, but vintage motors continue to capture the imagination, with their nostalgic designs resplendent of a yesteryear where glamour was a reality, and not just a magazine.
You’ll struggle to find a better example of vintage mastery than the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL; a signature model that’s been reimagined over the years but has remained a symbol of motoring luxury and a flag bearer for the automotive house.
The car was conceived by American Mercedes-Benz importer Max Hoffman, who believed that a road-legal version of the popular W194 racer would be profitable in the American market, due to it’s power and distinctive styling. Mercedes-Benz took Hoffman up on his idea, and the new 300 SL was fittingly premiered at the 1954 New York Auto Show. The 300 SL coupe was soon dubbed the “Gullwing” for its distinctive roof-hinged doors, and the rest is quite literally, history.
Those with a spare £900,000 – at least – will be pleased to hear that there is one such model on the market and available via auction by auctioneers RM Sotheby’s this January.
Restored by Rudi & Company, the 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster has a grey leather interior to match a chrome exterior. The landmark car features an innovative space-frame chassis coupled with a race-bred, fuel-injected engine – the first of its kind fitted to a production car.
For more information on how to attend the auction on January 29th visit RM Sotheby’s website via the link below.
