Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster

Introduction

First shown by Mercedes at the Geneva Car Show in March 1957, the Roadster was not put into production until the following May.

Almost identical to the Mercedes "Gullwing" Coupe, the roadster had a lower door line that made entering and exiting the vehicle much easier, something that the rich and famous females that had fallen for the Coupe had ultimately decreed as 'ungainly'.

Even though this was the car that the dealers, particularly in the US, had demanded of Mercedes, the car was never to gain quite the enthusiastic support of its predecessor.

The tubular frame that the vehicle was constructed on became heavier (now 1330kg instead of 1295kg) to cope with the absence of a roof, although the engine was slightly upgraded to produce 250bhp.

A hardtop was available as an option on the roadster from September 1958 - naturally at an extra cost - and in March 1961 four wheel disc brakes were installed as a regular production item.