1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Joins Fort Worth Museum Collection

The DFW Car & Toy Museum is now displaying a 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, a radiant red automotive icon that represents one of the most significant collector vehicles ever produced. This addition to the Ron Sturgeon Collection highlights the enduring appeal of a car that revolutionized performance and luxury when it first appeared at the 1957 Geneva Motor Show.

The 300 SL Roadster evolved from the legendary "Gullwing" coupe, offering substantial improvements in both performance and comfort. Mercedes-Benz equipped the roadster with an upgraded six-cylinder engine producing 240 horsepower, delivering what was then considered exceptional performance. The manufacturer also redesigned the suspension system to tame the car's aggressive handling characteristics while creating lower door sills and enhanced cabin comfort compared to the original coupe version.

What makes this vehicle particularly significant to collectors and automotive enthusiasts is its extreme rarity. Production numbers remained exceptionally limited throughout the model's lifespan, with only 1,858 Roadsters built between 1957 and 1963. The 1958 model year saw just 324 examples produced, making each surviving vehicle a precious artifact of automotive history. This scarcity has preserved the 300 SL Roadster's aura of exclusivity and contributed to its status as one of the most desirable collector cars worldwide.

Ron Sturgeon, founder of the DFW Car & Toy Museum, described the vehicle as "a rolling work of art that's just as breathtaking today as it was over half a century ago." The museum's acquisition represents more than just adding another classic car to a collection—it preserves an important chapter in automotive engineering and design history. The 300 SL Roadster's combination of mechanical innovation and aesthetic beauty continues to influence modern sports car design and remains a benchmark for automotive excellence.

Visitors can view the vehicle at the museum's North Fort Worth location at 2550 McMillan Parkway. The museum operates Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm with free admission and parking. Additional information about the collection and visiting hours is available at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.