A beautifully restored 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is attracting significant attention from collectors as bidding climbs past the seven-figure mark in an online auction. The open-top sports car, widely regarded as one of the most elegant automobiles of the post-war era, is currently listed on the Bring a Trailer platform.
Although the roadster lacks the distinctive gullwing doors of the earlier 300 SL coupe, the convertible version has long been celebrated for its graceful design and timeless presence. The model represents an important chapter in Mercedes-Benz history and continues to rank among the most desirable classic sports cars produced during the mid-20th century.
The 300 SL was originally introduced in 1954 as a coupe that quickly gained recognition for its advanced engineering and impressive performance. The car was among the fastest production vehicles of its time, combining striking styling with strong mechanical capability. Despite its technical achievements, the coupe did not reach the popularity levels Mercedes-Benz had anticipated.
In response, the automaker introduced a new variant in 1957 by transforming the coupe into an open-top roadster. The redesigned version remained in production until 1963 and ultimately became the only version of the 300 SL offered during that period. Over the course of its production run, Mercedes-Benz built 1,858 examples of the roadster, bringing total production of the entire 300 SL series to 3,258 vehicles.
The example currently on the auction block carries chassis number 002520 and is a U.S.-specification model that was delivered to its original owner in Milan in 1960. Over the past six decades, the vehicle has passed through the hands of only a small number of collectors.
During the last decade, the car underwent an extensive refurbishment that took several years to complete. As part of the restoration process, the original white paint was removed and the body was stripped down to bare metal. The vehicle was then refinished in a metallic Anthracite color that gives the classic roadster a darker and more contemporary appearance.
The interior features a beige leather two-seat cabin that complements the exterior finish. The car rides on 15-inch steel wheels and includes both a black soft top and a matching hardtop for added versatility depending on weather conditions.
Under the hood, the roadster is powered by a rebuilt 3.0-liter M198 inline-six engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission. When new, the engine produced 240 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque, helping the 300 SL achieve its reputation as a high-performance sports car.
While the car has accumulated slightly more than 1,000 miles since its refurbishment, its total lifetime mileage remains unknown.
Interest in the vehicle has been strong among bidders, with the current price already surpassing $1 million. With the auction scheduled to run through early March, the final sale figure may climb even higher as collectors compete for one of Mercedes-Benz’s most iconic roadsters.
Via Bring a Trailer
