Gallery Aaldering is offering this Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster “Geneva Automobilsalon 1961” for sale.
- One of 5 in “Phantasiegelb” – original from factory
- 90% in first paint – with forensic examination
- Unrestored and fully matching numbers
- Verified history by forensic (radiography/material) authenticity checks
- 53 years owned by second owner
- Highlight of the Geneva International Motor Show in 1961
We are looking at an unrestored Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster with an extraordinary and fully documented history. This example is almost beyond belief. A 1961 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, one of only five ever delivered in the dazzling color Phantasiegelb, or Fantasy Yellow. In 1961, it took center stage at the Mercedes-Benz stand during the Geneva International Motor Show. The centerpiece. The undisputed star of the event.
What makes this car even more legendary is the fact that it still retains about 90 percent of its original paint. This is not a restored car, but an authentic time capsule, right down to the finest detail, confirmed through forensic analysis. In the 1960s, it was repainted red, but investigators later discovered that beneath the red finish, the original Phantasiegelb paint had been preserved. That red coating turned out to be more of a protective layer than a true respray. Thanks to meticulous wet-sanding techniques, the original finish was carefully and successfully brought back to life. The result is a Mercedes unlike any other.
This 300 SL Roadster is also completely matching numbers, right down to the smallest components. Engine, gearbox, chassis, bodywork — everything checks out. It comes with a full report including photographs, serial numbers and materials analysis. Without question, this is a genuine 300 SL Roadster in an astonishingly original condition.
Remarkably, both the exterior and interior remain untouched after more than 60 years. The leather, the chrome, the glass, even the soft top — all are original. This is one of those rare cars that leaves you wondering how it could have been preserved so impeccably. Part of the answer lies with its second owner, who kept the car for 53 years. Gallery Aaldering provide a comprehensive dossier filled with owner history and background, documented in detail.
In 2022, the car underwent a full mechanical overhaul by specialists. Every moving part was addressed, and the car now runs like a Swiss watch. The engine sounds strong, the driving experience is smooth, and it is ready to be enjoyed.
And here’s another special detail: this was the very first 300 SL Roadster with disc brakes ever shown at a public event. So not only is it rare in color, it’s also a technical landmark — a pivotal moment in the evolution of the 300 SL. And this very example was part of that transition.
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