Fangio’s Mercedes-Benz 300SL is for sale

El Maestro’s Mercedes

There are big names in the worlds of motoring and motorsport, but few command as much respect and admiration across the decades as that of Juan Manuel Fangio.

Therefore when any item associated with him comes to auction, it is likely to spark considerable interest.

And here we have something more special that most pieces of memorabilia: his 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster.

It is being sold via RM Sotheby’s Private Sales and the company describes this as ‘a unique sealed-bid opportunity to acquire an iconic piece of automotive history’.

We had to find out more.

Man and machine

And here is Fangio with what we can only assume is a similar car, given its different numberplate.

Born on 24 June 1911, in Balcarce, Argentina, Fangio went on to become one of the greatest racing drivers of all time.

He was crowned Formula One World Champion five times, driving for four different teams, and claimed the runner-up spot twice, too.
 

A safe pair of hands

He competed in F1 when the series was relatively new but, especially by today’s standards, he did so when he was comparatively old.

In 1951 he became the second drivers’ champion, after Giuseppe Farina, and Fangio also finished the season on top in 1954, ’55, ’56 and ‘57, taking his final title at the age of 46.

Star association

Fangio’s first F1 championship was secured driving an Alfa Romeo, and it was with Ferrari and Maserati that he won his 1956 and 1957 titles respectively, but he is perhaps most associated with Mercedes-Benz.

He started the 1954 season with Maserati, campaigning the 250F, but switched to Mercedes and the W196 after two Grands Prix, and went on to take the title – and man and manufacturer repeated this feat in 1955.

Sports car success

However, Fangio’s association with the big German car maker went beyond F1.

He had his fourth attempt at the Mille Miglia in a Mercedes-Benz 300SLR in 1955, where he had to settle for second behind Stirling Moss and Denis Jenkinson, and achieved the same result the same year in the Targa Florio. And that’s just some of the times he drove for the three-pointed star.

And, as pictured here, he also drove for Mercedes at the tragic 1955 Le Mans 24 Hours, where his co-driver was Moss, the pairing tipped for triumph – but the team withdrew its cars following teammate Pierre Levegh’s horrific accident in which he and 83 spectators were killed.

Running deep

Once Fangio had retired from competitive motorsport he sold Mercedes-Benz cars – in fact, he acquired the Mercedes concession for Argentina before he raced for the manufacturer.

He also held the title of President of Mercedes-Benz Argentina in 1974, and became its Honorary President for Life in 1987.

Retirement present

Which brings us to the drop-top we have here, a 1958 300SL Roadster.

And not only was it Fangio’s car, it was a retirement gift to him from Mercedes-Benz, making it doubly significant.

Held in high esteem

If you check the dates, you’ll realise this car was gifted to Fangio by Mercedes two years after he left the team to join Ferrari, a measure of the respect the German marque had for the Argentine racer.

This 300SL Roadster was delivered in time for Fangio’s 47th birthday and received at The Dorchester Hotel in London, in recognition of his success while driving for Mercedes.

The joy of six

And today this car still retains its original, matching-numbers engine.

The W198 300SL Roadster was powered by the 3.0-litre M198 straight-six engine, canted over at a 45° angle to permit more streamlined bodywork.

All in order

The engine isn’t the only original item on this remarkable classic.

This SL also has a matching-numbers body, chassis, differential, gearbox, hardtop and hood frame

Colour correct

It also remains in its original – and we think very attractive – colour scheme, where the metallic light blue body is matched with an interior upholstered in cream leather.

As well as looking fabulous, it works well for hotter climates, too.

Ready for anything

However, it was also delivered with a colour-matched hardtop, making it easier to enjoy this Mercedes in all weathers.

And it seems Fangio most definitely enjoyed his 300SL.

Pack your bags

RM Sotheby’s explains that this was one of Fangio’s favourite cars and that it’s thought most of the 72,951km (just over 45,000 miles) this car has covered was with him behind the wheel.

In fact, after collecting it in London, he headed off on a driving tour of Europe with his girlfriend Andrea Berruet, as part of his role as a Mercedes-Benz ambassador.
 

Caught on camera

There are a number of photographs of Fangio with this car, but it is on film, too.

Footage was taken of Fangio drifting a Maserati 250F at Modena Autodrome and, at the start of that film, the five-time F1 champion is seen driving this classic Mercedes SL alongside the 250F.

Company car

In all, Fangio used this car for his ambassadorial work in Europe on behalf of Mercedes-Benz from 1958, when he became its custodian, until 1960.

But then his focus shifted to developing the brand’s profile in South America – for which he’d need this car.

Clever thinking

So Fangio exported his treasured 300SL Roadster from Europe to Argentina.

However, the car was declared in the transfer as a ‘trophy’, to avoid the taxes that were owed when cars were brought into the country.
 

Tender loving care

This car was first registered in Argentina in March 1960 and Fangio entrusted its upkeep to a mechanic that, in 1963, he sent all the way to Mercedes’ Stuttgart factory to be trained.

And over the next two decades, the racing star used his SL extensively when travelling across South America for Mercedes, often appearing at the opening of showrooms as the brand’s dealer network expanded in the region.
 

Beauty queen

The car was back in the limelight again in 1978, when model Silvana Suárez won Miss World, representing Argentina.

With the roof off and Suárez on top of the rear seats, Fangio drove her in this car on her victory parade – as you can see here.

Making memories

Fangio’s fondness for this car is reflected in the fact that his nephew, Juan Manuel Fangio II, vividly recalls it being a part of his childhood.

“That car identified my uncle after his retirement,” he is quoted by RM Sotheby’s as saying. “It occupied a preferential place among all the vehicles he had, not only because of the characteristics it had, but also because of the importance it gave having been a gift from Mercedes-Benz.”

On show

Eventually, in 1986, almost three decades after Fangio was given this 300SL Roadster by Mercedes-Benz, he decided to take it off the road.

The car was put on permanent display at the Juan Manuel Fangio Museum in his home town of Balcarce, in eastern Argentina.

A piece of history

And it went on display untouched, exactly how El Maestro left it.

This includes this UPPI sticker. The Union des Pilotes Professionale et Internationale was a predecessor to today’s Grand Prix Drivers’ Association.

A unique opportunity?

This car has been exhibited at the Juan Manuel Fangio Museum since it opened in 1986, when the great champion himself decided the time was right to retire it from road use.

That means that the next owner will be only the second registered keeper of this car, after the Fangio family.

All in the detail

This car retains unique features, such as the top of this chromed gearlever, fitted by Fangio, and the suitcase we saw earlier, used by Fangio, is also included in the sale.

This is thought to be the car in which he covered more miles than any other.

Flying the flag

And have you noticed something about this Mercedes’ colours?

The pale metallic blue paintjob and the cream-coloured leather interior recall the colours of the flag of Argentina, which is a triband design, featuring two light blue bands with a white one between them, the country’s symbol, the Sun of May, in the middle of the white band.

Surely these colours are no coincidence.

Status unknown

When, after its years of service, this 300SL Roadster was placed into his museum by Fangio, it was said to be a running, driving car.

RM Sotheby’s does not say if that’s still the case today.

Original and best

What the auction house does say is that this classic Mercedes is ‘a great survivor with remarkable originality’.

As you can see, that does mean some wear and tear to the cabin.

Polished to perfection

Of course, in these photos, the beautiful blue bodywork looks to be in decent condition, but we don’t know if this would need work, too.

Earlier we saw some paint around the Mercedes badge and on the colour-matched wheels would require attention to bring them back to best.

A preserved piece

But then wear and tear caused by a five-time Formula One drivers’ champion is very different from that inflicted upon a car by us mere mortals.

Fangio is one of the all-time greats.

A classic conundrum

Which brings us neatly to the question that this classic 300SL Mercedes’ next owner will have to ponder.

Should this car be kept as it is and preserved, or is it ripe for restoration?

Champion’s chair

Of course, originality rules. You can’t remake it. The patina on this car could never be reinstated once removed.

And it is that originality, the fact that Juan Manuel Fangio sat in these seats and handled this steering wheel, and that it has barely been touched since, that is a huge part of this car’s appeal.

Magic numbers

And, of course, this is also one of just 1858 300SL Roadsters produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1957 and 1963.

That hardtop added 40kg to the Roadster’s kerbweight, taking it up to 1370kg.

Tune in

Chassis number 198.042.8500083 still has its original Becker Brescia radio and RM Sotheby’s has its warranty slips and manual.

That is the level of detail in this very special car.

Out of the shadows

Ahead of its sale, RM Sotheby’s is, rather understandably, showing off this piece of motorsport history it has been entrusted with.

Stints on display at Sotheby’s London and the Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall in the British capital are planned, which is rather appropriate, given that is where Fangio took ownership.

Special delivery

This classic SL will then be transported with the utmost care to the International Concours of Elegance in St Moritz, Switzerland.

And it will remain in Switzerland for its sale.

Under wraps

Fangio’s 300SL will then be sold in a sealed-bid auction between 21-25 March 2022, where no buyer’s premium will be applied.

Sadly, for those of us who don’t have big enough bank accounts to even consider bidding, RM Sotheby’s says the car’s final sale price will not be made public.

Wanted: one careful custodian

Still, we couldn’t let this moment in time pass without delving into the tale of this storied classic car.

Fangio clearly adored this Mercedes – and, just look at it, who can blame him?

Let’s hope whoever the top bidder is at the RM Sotheby’s 21-25 March sale takes very good care of this slice of motoring and motorsport history.