An extremely rare Mercedes-Benz car – one of just 27 of its kind – is now for sale.
The 1957 W198 300SL Roadster’s perhaps most unique design is its five original, PZ Rudge knock-off wheels.
These were a special order option; of the models produced between 1957-1963, less than 1.5% have the feature.
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The vehicle also retains its original ‘numbers matching’ components and Hepco luggage suitcases.
Most of the Factory Rudge Roadsters are permanent fixtures in the some of world’s finest collections and are rarely up for sale, as reported by Luxury Auto News.
The car left the factory at Stuttgart-Unterturkheim on 21 October 21, 1957.
The following year, local transportation laws were introduced to prohibit the use of the Rudge wheels – not only affecting Mercedes-Benz but also BMW and Porsche.
The car has a DB 180 Silver-Grey Metallic finish and a red leather interior with a black top.
Further specifications included instruments in English, sealed-beam headlights, 3.89:1 rear-axle ratio, a Becker Mexico radio and two-piece luggage set.
Merle Solland – a world-record-holding hydroplane racer – became the car’s second owner in 1964.
The family would go on to retain the 300SL for the next 54 years.
Merle’s son, Kurt Solland, recalled that when his dad bought the car, it had covered roughly 36,000 miles.
In 2018, Jan Kanevad, a Swedish collector with an eye for original finishes and exceptional sports cars, purchased the car.
He became its third and most recent private owner.
Kanevad employed 300 SL specialists HK-Engineering of Polling, Germany to remove the vehicle’s then layer of yellow paint to reveal the original metallic paint beneath.
It is believed that this is the only original paint and leather example of the rare ‘Factory Rudge’ 300SL Roadsters.
The motor is for sale with Gullwing Motor Cars Inc at approximately £2m ($2.65m).
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