Equipment
Hub caps, leather straps for the hood, factory hardtop, roll bar, Halda Speedpilot, Tapley meter (known to readers of R&T decades ago, a rudimentaly g-meter), Heuer Autavia chronometer and Sufft altimeter in a custom panel, short shifter, dash clock, Nard
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
Built for Princess Ashraf ol-Malouk Pahlavi of Iran (the Shah's twin sister) with special order paint in Perlgrau (Pearl Grey), although it currently wears an old Weissgrau (White Grey) respray. Next owned by aviation pioneer Thomas Foster Hamilton, who kitted it out for rallies. Represented as the original engine. Original chrome with significant pitting. Thick old repaint with orange peel. Paint chipping off the wheels. Original interior. The leather is sound for the most part other than a large tear on the driver's side. Unrestored but tidy and maintained underneath with a tidy, complete and correct original engine bay. Largely original and with a neat history, which offsets the disappointing paint job.
Market commentary
Of the three 300SL Roadsters in Amelia this year, this car was the most original and the most interesting, although its rally bits may not be to everyone's taste. All three cars brought modest prices, with RM's bringing $758,500 and Bonhams' selling for $1,028,000. This one fell in the middle, but given the cool history and extra goodies like the Heuer Autavia chronometer, it was the best buy.