1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

Registration No: YKE 492A
Chassis No: 198.042.10.003167
MOT: Exempt

• One of just 209 alloy block, disc brake 300SL Roadsters ever produced (now fitted with a more robust cast-iron block)
• Reportedly 'matching numbers' with regards to its chassis, body, gearbox, steering box, front suspension, hood frame and differential etc.
• Supplied new to the USA but current European ownership since 1995
• Subjected to a 'bare metal' bodywork restoration in 1996-1997 and subsequently reconfigured for historic rallying usage during 2003

The titanic struggle between Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz for Grand Prix supremacy during the mid-to-late 1930s resulted in machines which would not be eclipsed in terms of horsepower or outright speed (200mph plus) until the 1980s! Arguably the leading light of the Mercedes-Benz GP programme, Rudi Uhlenhaut spent World War Two working for Daimler-Benz’s aero engine division where he became familiar with mechanical fuel injection. A supremely talented driver as well as a brilliant engineer, he returned to the Stuttgart marque in 1948 and was instrumental in designing the W194 Sports Racer and W196 Grand Prix car the following decade. Prompted by legendary US importer Max Hoffman’s promise to order 1,000 units, Uhlenhaut and his team debuted the roadgoing W198 300SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupe at the February 1954 New York Motor Show. Indebted to the W194, the newcomer featured a lightweight tubular steel spaceframe chassis (the high sides of which necessitated its unusual, vertically opening doors), all-round independent suspension and a fuel-injected 3-litre SOHC straight-six engine. A ‘must have’ among the rich and famous on both sides of The Atlantic, the 300SL ‘Gullwing’ Coupe spawned a Roaster sibling. Introduced at the March 1957 Geneva Salon, the open-topped two-seater was underpinned by a revised spaceframe chassis which permitted the use of conventional doors. Riding and handling better than its enclosed forebear thanks to the adoption of a revised rear suspension (with lower pivot points), the 300SL Roadster was a modest 95kg heavier. However, its adoption of the previously optional, higher compression ‘Sonderteile’ engine - yielding an additional 25bhp (240bhp vs 215bhp) - helped negate the weight gain. Progressively developed, the model could be had with four-wheel disc brakes from March 1961 onwards. While, the final 209 cars were also equipped with alloy cylinder blocks. The fastest, best-engineered and most glamorous convertible of its era, a scant 1,858 were completed built from 1957-1963. Impressively, a pared back 300SL Roadster (sometimes referred to as the ‘SLS’) won the Sports Car Club of America’s Class D Championship in 1957 against Maserati 300S, Ferrari Monza and Aston Martin DB3S opposition.

According to its accompanying copy factory vehicle data record, chassis 198042-10-003167 was completed on November 14^th 1962. Supplied new to America, it was among the select eleven percent to roll off the Sindelfingen assembly line with an alloy cylinder block and four-wheel disc brakes. First road registered in 1963, the Mercedes-Benz was initially finished in Horizon Blue with Cream leather upholstery. Belonging to Manhattan resident Sidney Bier some twenty-six years later, he retained possession until 1995. Purchased by the vendor, Dick Van Dijk, via Kruse International’s Auburn auction on September 3^rd that same year, the two-seater was deemed to be in ‘excellent overall condition’ with ‘50,600 miles’ recorded. Joining Mr Van Dijk’s impressive 100 car plus private museum, then based in The Netherlands, chassis 198042-010-003167 was entrusted to Michael Starke GmbH for bodywork and brightwork improvements during 1996-1997. The intention being to sharpen the cosmetics as much as possible and also to improve the underbody presentation. To this end, minor repairs were made to the sills, rear corner panels, while small dents were removed from the underside and the tubular spaceframe inspected / repainted. Prone to failure, the original alloy block engine had been exchanged for a cast iron replacement (number 198.980.7500616) whilst the car was still Stateside but the gearbox, differential, body, front suspension and even hood frame all bore the same numbers listed on the factory vehicle data record.

After enjoying the Mercedes-Benz as a road car for a few years, Mr Van Dijk decided to convert it into a ‘Rallywagen’ during 2003. Having approached the manufacturer, Niemoeller and HK Engineering for advice and parts prices, he settled upon the latter to help with the project. Able to call upon the services of his son who had prepared numerous vehicles for the arduous Paris-Dakar Rally, he treated the 300SL to a new wiring loom, injector pump overhaul and replacement window channels / rubbers etc. The oil pressure gauge was overhauled and a bank of auxiliary instruments added in a specially fabricated centre console. The ride height was raised slightly (via taller sidewall tyres and subtle rubber spacers), the exhaust rerouted, underbody guards added and the factory differential swapped for a limited slip unit (supplied by HK Engineering). Holger Ratgeber carried out an alternator conversion during 2005 which boosted output to 30A and attention was paid to the braking and ignition systems. European-specification headlights were installed and the two-seater subsequently refreshed in 2010 with the fuel tank, injectors, steering ball joints and water pump all being fettled. Repainted the following year, chassis 198042-010-003167 had its seats improved in 2012 (sundry new internals).

Assorted fuel system seals were renewed during 2016 and adjustments made to the timing chain and choke mechanism by CKL Developments Ltd three years later. The upholstery is believed to be period suggesting it was either installed very early in the car’s life or that the change was made on the assembly line but not noted on the factory vehicle data record. 2020 saw the rotary shaft seals replaced, the front suspension rejuvenated and fresh brake hoses fitted etc. Treated to a new cold start thermostat and four-wheel alignment in 2021, the 300SL was serviced by renowned W198 specialist Martin Cushway Engineering during 2022 at a cost of £3,187.20. Having covered less than 200 miles since then (the current odometer reading stands at circa 60,800), the two-seater started readily during our recent photography session at Kelham Hall. Coming to market for the first time in thirty years, ‘YKE 492A’ could be restored back to showroom specification or further developed in its current guise. The standard grille and bumpers are no longer with it but the original steering wheel, factory differential and glovebox lid have all been retained. Offered for sale with history file, FIVA Identity Card, numerous invoices and assorted photographs showing the Roadster on adventures in Scotland, The Mediterranean and Tunisia.

Component Numbers:

Chassis number: 198.042.10.003167
Current Engine number: 198.980.7500616
Gearbox number: 003390
Differential number: 188353
Steering Box number: 003227
Body number: 198.042-10-00179
Left front suspension number: 003245
Right front suspension number: 003240

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430

or

Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737