RM Auctions 16 & 17 Januar
Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa
2400 East Missouri Avenue
Phoenix
Arizona 85016
Donnerstag / Thursday, January 16, 2014 – 5:00 pm MST
Freitag / Friday, January 17, 2014 – 5:00 pm MST
RM Auctions versteigert einen Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Flügeltürer aus dem Jahre 1955, sowie einen Roadster aus dem Jahre 1956. Das Fahrzeug in diesem Jahre auf dem Turiner Automobilsalon ausgestellt und hat Rudge Räder. Das Fahrzeug wurde in silber mit rotem Leder ausgeliefert. Das Fahrzeug hat 4 Vorbesitzer und ist zur Zeit mit Sitzen aus dem 300 SL Roadster ausgestattet. Es verfügt über eine ältere Restaurierung. Die Preiserwartung liegt zwischen 1,1 und 1,4 Millionen US$.
The 300 SL Gullwing auctioned by RM was on display at the 1956 Turin International Automobile Salon. According to its Mercedes-Benz Classic Center data card, an English translation of which is in included in the file, it was originally displayed in Silver Grey Metallic (180), with special-order red leather interior (1079) and arguably the most desirable factory option, that of Rudge wheels. The car has 4 prior owners and is presently fitted with 300 Sl Roadster seats. The car shows an older restoration and has an estimate of 1.1 – 1.4 M US$.
Der zweite 300 SL ist ein Roadster aus dem Jahre 1958, der in hell blau (DB334) mit rotem Leder ausgeliefert wurde. Das Fahrzeug wurde von Rudy & Co. in Kanada Restauriert. Die Preiserwartung liegt zwischen 850 T US$ und 1,05m US$.
The second 300 SL at RM Auctions is a 1958 drum brake example in DB334 light blue over red leather 1079. The car shows its original color combination and was restored by model experts Rudy & Co. in Canada. The estimate is 850k – 1.05 M US$.
Bonhams 16. Januar Westin Scottsdale
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
6902 East Greenway Parkway
Scottsdale AZ 85254
Flügeltürer
Das Auktionshaus Bonhams versteigert einen Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Flügeltürer aus dem Jahre 1955 in silber mit blauem Leder. Ursprünglich in Mittelblau ausgeliefert, wurde das Auto im letzten Jahr nach einer langjährigen Restauration bei Hjetlness in Kalifornien feriggestellt. Die Preiserwartung liegt bei 1.1 – 1.4 M US$
Gullwing
This original U.S. supplied Gullwing was completed on August 25, 1955 and shipped to New York. As supplied new it wore Medium Blue Paint (code DB350) and was trimmed in light grey leather. Being a later series car it benefited as new from the ATE brake booster, and is known to have carried the stock 3.64 rear axle ratio.
The Gullwing registry confirms that the Mercedes spent most of its early years in New York state, former owners being listed as David Todd of New York, and Martin Alperstein of Fishkill, New York, Alperstein being well known in SCCA circles for racing an MG TC. Later the car would pass to Richard M. Mills of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. By 2001, the car was with Jack Kaufman in Los Angeles from whom the present owner acquired the car, which became part of his collection of noteworthy Post-WWII sports cars. At this stage its odometer stated that the car had covered around 39,834 miles, which it was thought could easily have been from new.
Over the course of the last 12 years the Mercedes has been steadily refurbished and improved, while its mileage has risen to a still modest 41,822. Today, it sports the reverse of its original livery, conforming more to the benchmark guise for these cars and that which they had campaigned the prototype racers, being Silver Grey. It is immaculately presented aesthetically having just received a complete strip and repaint by Pollock Automotive Restoration of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This silver hue is well offset with lustrous deep blue leather upholstery, and has a new headliner also installed by Pollock.
Early on in this ownership it was sent to esteemed Gullwing restorers Hjeltness Restorations of Escondido, California who carried out a major engine service, and rebuilt the brakes, master cylinder and brake booster, enabling the car to be usable and reliable. At the same time the correct rubber foot well mats were sourced and fitted as was a Talbot external mirror. In addition the engine has been completely rebuilt at the hands of another renowned expert for the model, Ed Tatios of Mike Tillson Motorcar Service in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and only 200 miles have been covered since.
Fresh from its recent refurbishment, the 300SL was shown last Fall at the Radnor Hunt Concours, the St. Michaels Concours d’Elegance, and Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat, where it drew much attention. Shod with a fresh set of Dunlop tires and complete with a tool kit and manuals, the car is ready to be presented at other similar events or else enjoyed on the road.
Just shy of the 60th anniversary of that New York Auto Show debut, the popularity of the iconic Gullwing has arguably never been stronger, this on-the-button example is a great way to sample that legend. The estimate is 1.1 – 1.4 M US$
1960 Roadster
Als zweiten 300 SL bringt Bonhams ainen Roadster mit Hardtop auf den Auktionsblock. Bei diesem Fahrzeug handelt es sich um einen frühen mit Scheibenbremsen rundum ausgestatteten Wagen aus dem Jahre 1960. dass seit Auslieferung diurch das Werk erst 49.000 Meilen zurückgelegt hat. Der Roadster ist in Grapghitgrau mit rotem Leder ausgeliefert worden. Im Rahmen einer Restauration im Jahre 1991 wurde das Auto in Rot umlackiert und erhielt eine beigefarbene Innenausstattung.Die Preiserwartung liegt bei 1 – 1.25 M US$
Late 1960 Roadster with disc brakes
This 300SL has a carefully documented ownership history that is known from new. Originally purchased by Don Youngblood of Chicagoland suburb Park Ridge, Illinois through Martin Loeber & Sons (now Loeber Motors), this car was constructed at the end of 1960 and delivered in January of 1961; it was the fifteenth 300SL to be fitted with 290mm disc brakes on all four corners. Finished in the fetching combination of Graphite Grey over Red leather with a Black convertible top, the original build sheet that accompanies the car indicates that Mr. Youngblood ticked the boxes for the optional Becker Mexico Radio and automatic antenna. Additionally, a fitted hardtop was purchased with the car—no doubt a concession for when Chicago’s notoriously cold weather arrived. The original invoice shows the total coming to $12,010.49.
Mr. Youngblood meticulously maintained the car at Loeber throughout his ownership with the receipts still on file to prove it. In November 1963, Judge H.R. Stoffels bought the Roadster with 11,325 miles on the clock. Judge Stoffels, a fellow Park Ridge resident whose home was only a mile and a half from Mr. Youngblood’s, likely saw the car in the neighborhood and eventually came to own it. Continuing the careful maintenance and record keeping that the first owner had done, service continued to be completed by Loeber until the Judge’s untimely death in late August of 1966.
Records next show the car with Sheldon Zimmerman of Northbrook, Illinois by April of 1969 with 27,241 miles on the odometer. However, the Roadster only remained with Sheldon for a brief span of time before finding its way to Tucson resident Gerald ‘Jerry’ Zimmerman. Now out of the harsh climate in Chicago, the Benz could enjoy the dry, sunny desert of Arizona. Zimmerman continued to keep close records of the car’s maintenance, with invoices for everything from oil changes to regular service being retained—just as the prior owners had done.
When the Roadster moved to its fourth owner, Carson ‘Jack’ Lee of Tempe, Arizona, in 1972, it had 33,000 miles on the odometer. Little record is retained of Mr. Lee’s ownership, but it is known that on January 10th, 1978 Tom Congleton of Mission Hills, Kansas brought the car to the Midwest for a decade. Shortly after purchasing the Roadster, Mr. Congleton changed the interior color to its current Saddle Tan leather. In 1988, the car was acquired by the current vendor.
Carefully maintained its whole life, the decision was made to do a complete, concours-quality restoration on the less than 45,000 miles-from-new 300SL starting in August of 1991. The no-expense-spared operation was carried out by the very well-regarded marque specialist Bob Platz of Automotive Restorations in East Camden, New Jersey. Over the course of two and a half years, nearly $350,000 was spent to bring the Roadster back to as-new condition with a careful eye for correctness and original details. The complete restoration from its very beginning to its ultimate completion in April of 1994 is extensively detailed in the 176 pages of invoices, receipts, and restoration photos that accompany the, which are available for perusal.
Now finished in Fire Engine Red over Tan, the 300SL has been methodically cared for since completion and a successful participant in the Copperstate 1000. Still showing very well with its original hardtop, fitted luggage, tool roll, owner’s manual, and fewer than 47,000 miles accumulated since it left the factory in Stuttgart, the Roadster’s top quality restoration has retained much of its luster over the last two decades but has mellowed to a point where one may drive and enjoy the Roadster without worry.
A welcome entrant to any number of highly sought after events, this beautiful disc brake and hardtop example is ready for a new home after a quarter century of careful upkeep, fastidious documentation and a restoration that, when carried out, cost twice what it took to buy a 300SL Roadster. Estimate 1 – 1.25 M US$