SOLD: 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

SOLD

This 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster is offered out a private collection under the care of Fox Motorsports.  Having covered only 54,941 miles since new, it is an excellent and original 300SL with only one respray of the original Blue Gray paint (blaugrau, code 166), a rebuild of the original engine (engine number: 10.0002636) by LYCO Engineering, and an interior/convertible top reupholstered by Master Upholstery. The 300SL Registry lists 6 owners since new, with the current owner making it 7 in total. It is one of the best driving 300SL examples in existence, owing to the fact that it has never been apart and has always been maintained to the highest standard.

The 300SL Roadster was delivered new to a Mr. Gary Rappaport of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Mr. Gerard Heisler (from Chicago) was owner number two for a short period before selling to the next caretaker in Southbend, Indiana. That third owner was the late Merl Wogoman or “Mr. 190SL” as he was known in the Mercedes-Benz Club circle. He bought the 300SL Roadster in 1976 and enjoyed the car through the late 1970s. Web forum notes speak very highly of Mr. Wogoman and his commitment to the Mercedes Club. The late 1970s to early 1980s found the Mercedes back in Chicago owned by a P. L. Barney before being sold to the late Mr. Emil McConnell of Columbia, New Jersey, a businessman and well-known gun collector.

Mr. McConnell bought the Roadster in 1986 becoming its 6th owner. In 1995, Mr. McConnell had the interior and convertible top expertly reupholstered by Jerry Ambrosi (still in business today) at Master Upholstery in Newton, New Jersey. Fox Motorsports recently corresponded with Jerry Ambrosi and he remembered the 300SL as being an excellent example and spoke highly of Mr. McConnell, ”(Our) business relationship and friendship went way back. Emil was a man at a time when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel. I miss that guy.” At the same time as the interior refit, the engine of the 300SL was rebuilt by LYCO Engineering of Plymouth, Michigan, a business dedicated to Mercedes-Benz and primarily the 300SL. The owner of LYCO Engineering, the late Lynn Yankle, was a well known 300SL owner, restorer, and historian who had one of the best driving 300SL Gullwing examples on the club circuit. He was a sought after authority on all things 300SL.

After the passing of Mr. McConnell in 2004, the 300SL Roadster found its way through Terry Price of Legendary Motorcars. Terry Price’s notes on the car when he was selling it include: “This is a super honest very original 300SL! One repaint, perfect sheet metal, the panel fit could not be better, No rust ever! Fresh Interior. The dash has never been painted. The gauges are unrestored and in perfect condition. Mechanically superb in every way. Detailed chassis and engine compartment.” 

Fox Motorsports bought the 300SL from Terry Price in 2005 for a local client. Under our care, service has been performed annually regardless of miles driven, with storage and other maintenance being carried out on-site in our climate-controlled facility. Only 2,000 miles have been added to the car since 1986. The current condition of the paint and body (body number: 10.0000096) is excellent, showing minor touch-ups and little to no patina due to excellent care, regular detailing, and the Mercedes only being used on nice days. The engine bay, undercarriage, and trunk are original and excellent. The interior is exceptionally clean and shows just the right amount of use to match the condition of the rest of the car.  Maintenance while at Fox Motorsports has been fastidious and includes annual oil changes (with full cleaning of the elaborate oil filter), regular spark plug changes, annual coolant flushes, routine brake fluid changes, and dedicated attention given to any and every need. This 300SL has been kept in top running condition regardless of cost.

SOLD