Mercedes-Benz transformed its racing success into one of the most celebrated road cars of the 20th century after its dominant victory at the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans with the W194. Encouraged by influential U.S. importer Max Hoffman to capitalize on America’s growing enthusiasm for high-performance European sports cars, the automaker introduced the iconic 300 SL at the 1954 New York Auto Show.
Built around a lightweight tubular steel spaceframe, the model combined elegant styling with advanced engineering, featuring a steel body complemented by aluminum components including the hood, doors, dashboard, and trunk lid. At its core was the sophisticated 3.0-liter M198 inline-six engine derived from the Le Mans-winning race car. Equipped with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, dry-sump lubrication, and an aluminum cylinder head, the powerplant produced 240 horsepower while sending power to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual gearbox.
When the open-top Roadster succeeded the Gullwing coupe, Mercedes refined the formula with a low-pivot rear suspension for improved handling, while making the previously optional competition camshaft standard. The Roadster also gained dual-point ignition, dual ignition coils, and upgraded fuel system components. During the final months of production in 1962, Mercedes introduced a lighter alloy engine block, replacing the long-used cast-iron unit before production concluded in 1963.
Now available through Bring a Trailer, this 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is one of only 210 examples built with both the lightweight alloy engine block and factory four-wheel Dunlop disc brakes, making it among the most desirable variants of the model. Chassis 003139 passed through two New York owners before relocating to Maryland in 1989, later joining a New Jersey collection from 1998 until its acquisition by the selling dealer in 2026.
Originally delivered in Fire Engine Red with a black removable hardtop, the Roadster was later refinished in elegant silver accompanied by a matching hardtop. Power comes from a replacement M198 3.0-liter inline-six featuring Bosch mechanical fuel injection and dry-sump lubrication, paired with the original-style four-speed manual transmission and fully independent suspension.
The Roadster retains numerous factory-correct details, including chrome wheels fitted with Michelin X tires, U.S.-specification lighting, bumper guards, a Becker Mexico radio, black leather upholstery, charcoal square-weave carpeting, and classic VDO instrumentation with a 160-mph speedometer and 7,000-rpm tachometer. As one of the final and most technically advanced 300 SL Roadsters produced, this alloy-block example stands as an exceptionally collectible chapter in Mercedes-Benz performance history.
Source: Bring a Trailer
