This car is a spectacular example of the iconic 300SL. A full cosmetic and mechanical restoration has been performed including new paint, chrome, full red leather interior, rebuilt engine and transmission, etc. The car is fitted with the cloth soft top but also comes with its original removable hardtop.
The late 300SL are spectacular “drivers cars”.
The 1962 300SL featured disc brakes, an aluminum block engine for better weight distribution, and suspension refinements that set them apart from all earlier models.
Ownership History
This car was purchased new in 1962 by Peter Schartz Jr. of Santa Monica California. He picked up the car in Europe and spent his summer vacation touring the continent before having the car shipped home to California. For the next ten years he enjoyed the car as his daily driver. He always had the car serviced at authorized Mercedes Benz dealers and kept it in top shape. In the 1970’s he sold the car to Peter Halper of Minnesota.
Cosmetic Restoration
Halper drove the car for a few years before deciding to have a cosmetic restoration performed. He choose Steve March of March Mercedes in California to perform the restoration. All the bright work, lights, and trim were removed and the body stripped of all paint. The body was in excellent original condition, it was metal finished and prepared for the paint booth. The paint was expertly applied in the car’s original color (Elfenbein DB608). The bumpers were re-chromed, along with most of the trim. The interior was completely restored with new red leather and correct German carpets. After enjoying the car for a few years it was sold to its third owner Robert Paltrow of New York.
Mechanical Restoration
Paltrow wanted a car that performed as good as it looked. He wanted a totally reliable car for use on automobile tours and rallies. He decided to have all of the mechanical systems of the car rebuilt and restored to new condition.
The car was sent to A.R. Bach Consulting, LTD. of Pound Ridge, NY in June of 2004 for a full mechanical restoration. Every system of the car was inspected and rebuilt where necessary. Over $130,000 was invested in the mechanical restoration. Since the completion of this work the car has only been driven 8,000 miles. The result is a car looks and drives like new. It is one of the best 300SLs we have ever driven.
Engine
The engine was rebuilt to factory specification including new factory pistons and liners. All new bearings and seals were installed. The rods were reconditioned and the crankshaft balanced. A full valve job was performed including new exhaust valve guides and new rockers. The oil pumps were rebuilt and new oil lines and filter installed. The fuel injection system was thoroughly inspected and calibrated to exact factory specification. The electric fuel pumps were tested and serviced including all new fuel lines and filter. The radiator/oil cooler was removed, cleaned, pressure tested and re-installed along with all new radiator hoses. The thermostat was tested and a rebuilt temp gauge installed. The distributor was replaced with a new factory unit along with new plugs and wires. Both the starter and generator were fully serviced and rebuilt.
Once complete the engine was run-in on the dyno and completely set up and tuned. It produces 220HP @ 5800RPM with 202ft/lb of torque @4600RPM
Transmission and Rear End
The transmission was completely rebuilt with new bearings, synchro rings and seals. The driveshaft was inspected, serviced and balanced. The rear end was removed, inspected, re-sealed and new axle boots installed. The rear end mounts were replaced with new factory parts and new Koni shocks installed.
Front Suspension and Steering
New wheel bearings, seals and steering damper were installed. The steering box was rebuilt and the idler arm bushings replaced. New Koni shocks were installed and a full four wheel alignment performed.
Brakes
A new master cylinder was installed along with all new rubber flex hoses. The system was flushed and new fluid added along with new brake pads.
Additional Services Performed
The chassis was fully serviced and lubricated.
New Hella H4 headlights were installed and aligned
The original radio was removed and replaced with an new Becker CD AM/FM including a new radio housing covered in matching leather. New Nakamichi speakers were installed along with a new antenna (in the stock location)
