300SL Roadster revealed as the first entry to the Silverstone Classic Sale

By Lizzie Pope

| 29 May 2018

300SL Roadster revealed as the first entry to the Silverstone Classic Sale – Classic & Sports Car

The Silverstone Classic weekend (20-22 July) is always a big one for classic car enthusiasts, and Silverstone Auctions has revealed the first confirmed entry in its sale that's part of this event.

The car in question is this 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster and it will be auctioned with an estimate of £700,000 to £800,000.

A matching numbers car, its cream paintwork and red leather interior is a classic combination.

One of 1858 300SL Roadsters built, it was supplied new to the USA 60 years ago. It stayed there until imported to the UK and sold to its current owner in 1999.

A left-hand drive roadster, it has done 9000 miles since it was restored

When this classic Mercedes arrived on these shores it was the subject of a comprehensive restoration, with work to its engine and gearbox carried out by Ron Waghorn, one of only two British Mercedes-Benz engineers invited to Germany to be factory-trained on the 300SL when it was launched.

A photographic record of this two-year restoration will be sold with the car. The SL's interior was retrimmed by Morris McDonald and a bare-metal repaint was completed by APR Cars of Ruislip, while former McLaren engineer Kerry Adams was tasked with the metal fabrication for the body and frame.

The 300SL Roadster has covered 9000 miles since its restoration, taking its lucky owners across Europe, meaning its total mileage is now just over 89,000.

It was maintained by Waghorn until he retired in 2007 and thereafter by Tommy Johnston, the other engineer trained in Germany with Waghorn, until his retirement four years later. Since then, it's been in the hands of Omega Motorsport's Neil Corns.

Need evidence of the care that's been lavished on this Mercedes? Last year its injection fuel pump was rebuilt by HK Engineering in Germany as part of its annual maintenance programme at a cost of €13,800.

This 1958 Mercedes-Benz has a £700,000 to £800,000 estimate

“The 300SL Roadster is a timeless classic, as beautiful now as it was 60 years ago,” says Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions.

“It has stood the test of time as one of the earliest and greatest race-bred road cars. Its complex mix of engineering and beauty make it one of the most respected road going classics ever made so it is fitting that we have the pleasure to offer it at the Silverstone Classic in July.

“The Silverstone Classic Sale is always one of our most popular and high profile auctions of the year,” adds Whale. “Indeed, the quality of this first entry means this is likely to be the case again this year and with a limited number of auction spaces available, we’d advise anyone looking to enter a quality classic to get in touch at the earliest opportunity.”

Don't miss the other 1950s Mercedes looking for new homes on our classic cars for sale pages