SOLD 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

Superbly Restored W198 Roadster

According to the copy of the factory data card corresponding to and accompanying this 300SL Roadster, chassis 002759 was completed at the Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz factory on February 15^th, 1961. The car was originally painted in DB 334 Hellblau (light blue) over 955 grey leather with grey German square weave carpets and fitted with a dark blue convertible soft top. As a car destined for the US market, the car came with US spec sealed-beam headlights along with instruments in English.

Of note and significant towards the rarity of its specification from new, this 300SL Roadster was delivered with “big drum” racing brakes, a braking system known for its superiority over the standard drum brakes that came before it. Those familiar with this braking implement view it as similar in performance to the disc braking system that came after it in its ability to stop the car at high speed. Of the three braking systems implemented throughout 300SL production between 1954 and 1963, the “big drum” system found on this car is by some margin the rarest.

While chassis 002795 300SL Roadster’s earliest history is not known at present, by 1976 the car had been purchased by Mercedes-Benz enthusiast Joseph Grahek of Glen Cove, NY. Mr. Grahek and his son began a restoration of the 300SL several years into to their ownership tenure, but as is often the case, the Grahek’s got overwhelmed with the project and eventually decided to sell the car in the late 1990’s to prolific 300SL dealer Peter Kumar of Astoria, New York.

At the time the car was sold to Mr. Kumar, chassis 002759 300SL Roadster was reportedly still wearing its original light blue DB 334 Hellblau paint and, despite having been taken apart by the Grahek’s as part of their ongoing restoration effort, the car was represented at the time as a good restoration project car, complete in the sum of its parts and of the “matching numbers” variety retaining its factory installed iron block engine.

Not long after purchasing the chassis 002759 300SL Roadster, Kumar sold the car to noted Mercedes-Benz restorer Jurgen Klockemann of San Jose, California. Beginning in 2006, Mr. Klockemann began restoration of the car and, over the course of three years, completed a complete concours refurbishment of the Roadster in the period correct Mercedes-Benz color combination of DB 180 Silver-grey Metallic with 333 Blue leather, as it appears today. Klockemann also fitted the car with desirable, now difficult to find, European headlights and also added a dark blue soft top. Upon completion of the restoration in 2011, the 300SL was sold by Mr. Klockemann to Jeff Lotman of Los Angeles, Ca.

Subsequent to the comprehensive restoration work performed by Jurgen Klockemann on chassis 002759 300SL Roadster, the car was taken to and shown at the 2011 Legends of the Autobahn Concours, a German-centric car show held in conjunction with Monterey Car Week and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance each year. There, the Roadster placed first in the Open Cars 1886 – 1962 class with a score of 99.25 tallied after examination by the judging staff. Upon inspection of the car today, it is noteworthy that the car has seen only several hundred miles since completion of the restoration in 2011, leaving it appearing impressively fresh with little-to-no wear present anywhere on the car.

The car presents today in show quality condition throughout having clearly been kept in a climate controlled environment over the past decade and since the three year restoration was completed by Klockemann. An examination of the car today illuminates beautifully prepped paint work application in DB 180 Silver-grey metallic on original panel fitment/gapping with matching quality seen in the fully redone chrome trim and an expertly applied interior featuring correct style leather for the model 1961 year with correct german square weave carpeting in grey. Of note, during the restoration of the car, desirable European headlamps were added to enhance the appearance of the car while a digital sound system was discreetly and unobtrusively installed for use with modern digital devices; a set up easily uninstalled if desired.

As an increasingly desirable 1961 “big drum” brake example with an excellent pedigree of ownership care since the comprehensive restoration occurred, this iconic Mercedes-Benz Roadster presents itself in the colors of DB 180 Silver over Blue Leather with European headlamps and a dark blue soft top; a“matching numbers” example of the 300SL Roadster now begging for regular touring use and upcoming concours showing dates. This open W198 comes with books, tools, aviation style racing lap belts and is in need of nothing more than to be used and enjoyed as desired.