1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster

The introduction of the 300 SL was a hugely important moment for Mercedes-Benz and served to further cement the company’s position as the market leader in race-bred performance automobiles. Well ahead of its time, the 300 SL utilized an innovative space-frame chassis coupled with a highly advanced, fuel-injected engine, the first of its kind fitted to a production car. The 300 SL was conceived by Mercedes-Benz importer Max Hoffman, who believed that a road-legal version of Mercedes-Benz’s successful W194 racer would be profitable and that the unique style and performance of such a car would resonate with his American clients.