When the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL first broke cover in 1954, it presented a blinding vision of the future. From its bold yet beautiful aerodynamic styling to the cutting-edge mechanical fuel injection that afforded its straight-six such power, the incredible “Gullwing” blew its competition out of the water. But perhaps what is most remarkable was that it achieved such performance while also proving to be one of the most elegant, chic, and desirable automobiles of the decade—a car often hailed as the first true supercar, though the term had not yet been invented upon its debut.

The luxurious 300 SL Roadster replaced the Gullwing coupe for 1957, but enthusiasts who may have worried about the super-leicht going “soft” had absolutely no cause for concern. Thanks to a fully synchronized gearbox, greatly improved engine mechanicals, new rear axle design, and wide range of final drive selections available to customers, the Roadster remained among the fastest-accelerating automobiles on the road. The 300 SL Roadster has always walked a glamorous line, a convertible prized as much for turning heads on red carpets as for carving corners at speed, adored by stars, debutantes, and daring drivers alike. This compelling facet of the model’s charm has not dimmed one bit in the six-plus decades since its debut; to this day, the 300 SL remains among the world’s most collectable and widely loved automobiles.

This stellar, numbers-matching example is approximately the 450th chassis produced from the model’s first year of availability. As a US-market car completed at Sindelfingen during December 1957, this Roadster was originally specified in Fire Engine Red (DB 534) over Crème leather (1060) upholstery and a beige fabric top (702) with sealed-beam headlamps, standard discs wheels, a 3.89:1 rear axle, and Becker Mexico radio. Though the car’s early ownership history remains unrecorded, by 1981 this Roadster was reportedly owned by a marque enthusiast in Malibu, California. It then subsequently passed to a collector in Beverly Hills who retained the car for many years.

Under prior ownership, this 300 SL was treated to the well-preserved cosmetic restoration it still wears today. Refinished in the marque’s iconic racing color of Silver Metallic over a rich red leather cabin and matching red fabric top, one would be hard-pressed to find a more pleasing color combination, which enhances the effortless beauty of the model’s elegant, time-honored coachwork.

A trio of parking placards affixed to the windscreen attest to the car’s exhibition at three consecutive outings of the Monaco Grand Prix. It is perhaps likely that the Roadster was kept in Monaco from 2011 to 2013, prior to and after which it remained stored at the previous owner’s Beverly Hills home.

In 2021, the consignor acquired this car from a prominent Bay Area collection, and most recently submitted it to the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance-winning team at RM Auto Restoration for a complete rebuild of its numbers-matching 3.0-liter engine and more. Invoices on file outline over $100,000 in work completed in 2025.

Upon removing the engine, RM’s team found that the previous cosmetic restoration clearly was completed without separating the car’s body from its spaceframe chassis. Additionally, further inspection revealed that the chassis itself presented in excellent, well-preserved condition without any bent or damaged frame section in need of repair.

RM’s expert technicians further furnished a new clutch for its four-speed transmission. A thorough cleaning and detailing of the engine compartment, as well as exterior detailing and touchups as needed, rounded out the work and further burnished the 300 SL’s well-preserved prior restoration. As presented, the car begs to be driven and is an excellent candidate for touring in acclaimed events such as the Colorado Grand, California Mille, and Copperstate 1000.

Recently and thoroughly freshened, this early 300 SL Roadster is accompanied by a tool roll, two pieces of matching luggage, a set of 2025 invoices, and a copy of its factory data card, which confirms the presence of its major, numbers-matching components, including body, chassis, engine, gearbox, rear axle, and front axles.

Hailed as one of the greatest open sportscars of all time, the 300 SL Roadster is an icon of a glamorous period in motoring history. Considered by many to be a more accomplished in terms of driving dynamics than its Gullwing sibling, these extraordinarily capable and highly attractive Roadsters offer a seductive combination of class-leading performance, dynamic handling, and timeless aesthetics. When driven in modern traffic, it is immediately apparent how advanced the car is, with road manners that belie its age—it is no wonder these celebrated machines have become mainstays in large collections and favorites for long-distance touring.