As the original Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” Coupe exited stage left in 1957, its successor, the 300 SL Roadster, debuted at that year’s Geneva Auto Salon. The conversion of the 300 SL to an open car meant redesigning the chassis, which was strengthened significantly to compensate for the loss of the roof structure.

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 a wide range of final drive selections available to customers, the Roadster remained among the fastest-accelerating automobiles on the road.

The 1960 model year saw the 300 SL Roadster upgraded with larger drum brakes (aka “racing drums”) as a development stopgap before new Dunlop disc brakes were ready. Disc brakes eventually debuted at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, using an otherwise carbon copy of the Fantasy Yellow Roadster offered here. In fact, this car’s fascinating factory documentation illustrates an interesting historical footnote: Mercedes-Benz created both the unique disc-brake car, as well as this unique “big drum-brake” Roadster, both of which were used for exhibition purposes.

Originally specified in the special-order color combination of Fantasy Yellow (DB 653) over black leather (1090) with black soft-top (872) and a black hardtop (DB 040) trimmed with Crème headliner (E4), this very late drum-brake Roadster was also equipped with English instrumentation, a 3.64 rear axle, 15-inch Kronprinz wheels, chrome disc wheel covers, and quality checks to ensure that it was “suitable for exhibition.”

As indicated by its accompanying factory data card, this 300 SL Roadster, chassis 2756, was originally planned in late 1960 as a Standwagen for the Mercedes-Benz exhibition at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show; this is ascertained by the fact that its commission number 05712525 (1960, Switzerland, #2525), and extremely unique color combination were subsequently reassigned to chassis 2786—the disc-brake Roadster which Mercedes-Benz would ultimately use to debut that mechanical upgrade to the public.

From 1,858 Roadsters produced between 1957 and 1963, only five were finished in Fantasy Yellow. Rather amazingly, this car and the disc-brake Geneva Motor Show car are the only two Fantasy Yellow Roadsters with recorded exhibition use and the same exact original cosmetic configuration.

Nonetheless, additional, fascinating addenda to our car’s two following commission numbers open the possibility that while it may have been sent to the 1961 Tokyo Motor Show (as commission 18390124), it was definitely retained by Mercedes-Benz Exhibition Department for use in company advertisements and events until late 1962 (as commission 22956347). The factory data card also notes that this car’s engine was changed to a new unit before leaving the factory and it is still fitted with that engine today (number 002839).

Chassis 2756’s corporate responsibilities evidently brought it stateside at some point, and in early 1963 was sold to its first recorded owner David Jackson, who used the car at his residences in both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Jackson kept the car for nine years before selling it to Dr. R.L. Dunworth of Huntington, West Virginia. The car remained in his possession for six years before it was sold to John Walker, the principal of Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1975. Walker kept the car for two years and the car was bought shortly thereafter by Jack Hahn, who owned the car for nearly 40 years.

From Hahn, this Fantasy Yellow Roadster moved to Jim Gusweiler of Ohio in 2013, and then to a renowned California-based enthusiast who entrusted Legendary Classic Center of Costa Mesa, California, with executing a complete restoration to restore 2756 back to its former glory. Numerous photos on file document the work performed.

Over a period of nearly two years, this Roadster was completely stripped to bare metal and observed to be highly original and relatively well-preserved. It was subsequently refinished in its original shade of Fantasy Yellow with all chrome parts completely refinished. The numbers-matching engine and gearbox fully rebuilt, and a completely new wiring harness was fabricated and fitted.

The car’s interior and soft-top were refinished in dark green, thereby creating a unique color combination which certainly rivals its original configuration. All-new rubber and seals were fitted throughout, and for a final touch, a period-correct set of ultra-desirable Rudge wheels were sourced, color-matched, and fitted.

With the car’s restoration completed in 2015, the excellent quality has not diminished and remains plainly evident, and detailing has been very well-preserved throughout. As offered today, chassis 2756 is accompanied by the factory data card copy, and also by a matching dark green luggage set, tools, manuals, hundreds of restoration images, and its original hardtop.

Boasting a highly compelling history and beautifully presented in the exceptionally eye-catching color combination of Fantasy Yellow over dark green, this “big-drum brake” 300 SL Roadster will garner much attention wherever it travels.