Maybe the First Open-Top Supercar.
A money-no-object, ground-up restoration was performed on the 300SL Roadster at Hilton & Moss' state-of-the-art workshops, and the vehicle is now in pristine condition. The 300SL Roadster is maybe the first open-top supercar in the world.
A public appearance of the 1957 300SL is scheduled to take place this week at the famous Salon Prive London, which is located at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. The vehicle is now ready to wow on the road or impress on the lawn of the Concours.
As a world leader in the restoration and preservation of Stuttgart's greatest classic and high-performance models, Hilton & Moss, which is situated in Bishop's Stortford, is well-known for its forty-year partnership with the Mercedes-Benz brand. Additionally, the company is internationally acknowledged for its expertise in the field.
This open-top variant of the legendary 300SL 'Gullwing' coupe was known as the 300SL Roadster. It was first introduced in 1957 and continued to be manufactured until 1963. The 300SL was the first vehicle to incorporate a number of technological advancements that would later become standard in the automobile industry. These advancements included fuel injection and a lightweight tubular-frame chassis that was directly drawn from motorsports.
The SL Roaster was able to reach speeds of up to 140 miles per hour and accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, which was an extraordinarily quick speed for the late 1950s. It was powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six engine that produced 225 horsepower. The 300SL has continued to be highly sought by automobile collectors all around the world, despite the fact that it was celebrated throughout its time period for its game-changing performance, cutting-edge engineering, and breathtaking design.
This particular 300SL is a demonstration of Hilton & Moss' extensive understanding of automobiles that bear the three-pointed star, as well as the extensive reservoirs of in-house restoration expertise that the company possesses. This 300SL, which had arrived at the workshops of Hilton & Moss in need of a full refresh, has been converted into a shining example of one of the great legends that the automotive industry has to offer. Experts from Hilton & Moss were responsible for all of the work that was completed at their facility in Bishop's Stortford.
The W194 was the vehicle that gave birth to the astonishingly gorgeous 300SL Roadster, which, like its renowned 300SL 'Gullwing' coupé sister, had its beginnings in the tough environment of sportscar racing. This incredible racing machine achieved a streak of astounding triumphs in its debut season of competition, which is considered to be the beginning of the mythology of the 300SL. Despite a collision with a vulture and a damaged windscreen in the Carrera Panamericana across Mexico, the W194 was successful in all three of these competitions: the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Nurburgring Jubilee Grand Prix, and the 3,100-kilometre Carrera Panamericana. The latter event was completed at a speed of 135 miles per hour.
In the perspective of one Max Hoffman, who was Daimler-Benz's official importer in the United States, the W194 had surely earned its stripes despite the fact that it was an instant star on the racecourse. Hoffman was the one who convinced the board of directors of the company to turn it into a roadgoing coupé in 1954. Everything that the 300SL symbolised struck a chord with rich Americans, which resulted in the 300SL receiving an additional dosage of the California spirit with the introduction of the Roadster in 1957.
The Hilton & Moss 300SL Roadster started out in America to stay true to its American heritage. It then travelled to Germany and, finally, the United Kingdom. Due to the fact that the previous owner of the 300SL Roadster was anxious to bring it back to its former glory, the automobile was taken to Hilton & Moss to undergo a comprehensive restoration that included the interior, the mechanical components, and the structure.
Through the utilisation of their considerable knowledge of legacy Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the team at Hilton & Moss was able to restore the car into a stunning example of concours-standard craftsmanship. Following a complete disassembly of the car, the crew began the process of restoring the original panels in accordance with the exact specifications provided by the manufacturer. It is currently a wonderful example of the period-appropriate shade known as anthracite grey, which is a lovely colour.
In an effort to not be overshadowed by the shiny exterior, the inside was also given a meticulous repair. This restoration brought out the brilliance of the luxurious red-hide leather cockpit, which allowed it to shine brightly once again when exposed to sunlight. As experts in preserving originality and paying close attention to detail, the interior trimming team at Hilton & Moss took great care in preparing new leather to fit seamlessly into the metal dashboard frame of the car, which is nearly seven decades old. They also skillfully fitted the leather to prevent cracking issues, which can be a problem with these models, and they futureproofed it for decades to come.
Following the painstaking restoration of the vehicle's structure and interior, the mechanical components of the 300SL were also subjected to a complete overhaul. Each component was disassembled, documented, and repaired before being meticulously rebuilt. This was done in order to ensure that the whole overhaul was carried out. The straight-six engine-powered vehicle is now ready to deliver many more years of extremely elegant and cutting-edge high-performance motoring.
Due to the fact that it has only been driven a few kilometres since it was restored, this wonderful automobile is now prepared to be enjoyed by a new owner.