In previous articles here at Barn Finds, I have raised questions designed to spark spirited debate. These have generally revolved around determining the first or best muscle car of all time, but I have so far steered clear of the world of motorsport. That is about to change as I raise the topic of who was the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. It is hard to go past Lewis Hamilton or Michael Schumacher if considered purely on statistical merit. Niki Lauda stands out for sheer courage because he won multiple titles after being administered the Last Rites following his horrific crash at the Nürburgring in 1976. Others will argue strongly for Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna due to unfilled promise. Both men lost their lives at the height of their power, and we can only speculate as to how many more races and championships they may have accumulated but for the fickle hand of fate. The one person I haven’t mentioned is Juan Manuel Fangio. The legendary Argentinian secured five World Championships. The last of these was in 1957, and it would take an incredible forty-six years for this record to fall when Schumacher secured his sixth title in 2003. Unlike many drivers, Fangio walked away from the sport while still at his magnificent best and resisted the lure to make a comeback on many occasions. Although he drove for several works teams during his illustrious career, he has been most strongly associated with his time behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz W196. After hanging up his helmet, he maintained an affiliation with the company, becoming the President of Mercedes-Benz Argentina in 1974. Therefore, it is no surprise that he would slip behind the wheel of the company’s offerings in his leisure time. It is claimed that one of his favorites was a 1958 Mercedes 300 SL Roadster that was a gift from the company upon his retirement from competition. It is documented that he accrued significant miles behind the wheel of that car before it became a museum piece in 1986. However, all good things must come to an end, and the Roadster is set to cross the auction blocks in an upcoming auction in March. Located in Switzerland, you will find the SL listed for sale here at RM Sotheby’s Auctions. The seller doesn’t offer a guide price, but there’s a good chance that this Mercedes will climb into the seven-figure territory before the hammer falls.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the 300 SL in 1954. Those early offerings were the iconic “Gullwing” version, with 1,400 rolling off the production line before production ended in 1957. However, the company kept the 300 SL badge alive by introducing the Roadster version in the same year. While not as instantly recognizable as its Gullwing sibling, 1,858 buyers parked one in their garage before production ended in 1963. This 300 is an original and unrestored survivor that wears Light Blue Metallic paint. It presents quite well for its age, although the paint has accumulated a few flaws and defects over the years. This is hardly surprising as the great man had the vehicle shipped to all corners of the globe during its active life. It clocked 72,000 kilometers (45,000 miles) before Fangio entrusted it to the museum.

As with the paint, the panels on this Mercedes look good, but they have accrued a few marks and bruises. Once again, there is nothing horrendous that demands immediate attention. The car appears to be rust-free, which is a blessing in this case. The 300 comes with its factory Hardtop, and its condition seems to match the rest of the exterior. I would normally begin to talk about the prospects for restoration at this point, but I suspect that potential buyers will see that as irrelevant. Undertaking such a process would undermine the car’s originality and, given its ownership history, could also negatively impact its long-term value. If I were a betting man, I’d place my money on this Mercedes remaining untouched once it passes to its next owner.

Tipping the hood forward on this Mercedes reveals the fuel-injected 2,996cc six-cylinder engine that produces 250hp. That power finds its way to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. This combination should allow the Merc to cover the ¼ mile in 15.2 seconds before winding its way to 155mph. While the brute acceleration might not seem neck-snapping, this classic’s high-speed cruising ability would have made it the ideal weapon on Germany’s legendary autobahns. Fangio took delivery of this car in England and immediately embarked on a European driving holiday behind the wheel to savor all it had to offer. He then organized shipment to his home country, and here he demonstrated some of the inherent cunning that made him a multiple World Champion. The Government hit cars imported into Argentina with a significant amount of import duty, but sporting trophies were exempt. I’ll bet that you’ll have no problem guessing what the great man called this Merc on the official paperwork! His attention to detail was unsurpassed. To ensure that the 300 was appropriately maintained, he flew a mechanic to the Mercedes-Benz factory to be comprehensively trained on the mechanical and maintenance requirements of the 300 SL. That individual serviced the car from then until it found its way into the museum. It isn’t clear whether the vehicle is currently roadworthy, but due to its potential value, I would send it to a specialist for a thorough inspection before turning the key for the first time.

If you were expecting a spotlessly clean and beautifully preserved interior, you missed the mark with this 300 SL. Upholstered in Cream leather, it shows the wear and tear of many miles with Fangio behind the wheel. The leather also looks dry and cracked. If the buyer seeks to maintain this classic’s originality, they may need to employ a specialist to treat and condition the leather so it doesn’t deteriorate further. One unique feature of this interior is the shifter knob. The standard item is a circular one that looks almost disc-like. It seems that it wasn’t to Fangio’s liking because he swapped it for the one you see here. Under normal circumstances, I would be discussing the benefits of a sympathetic restoration. However, these circumstances aren’t ordinary, meaning that this is another aspect of this Mercedes that will probably be preserved rather than restored.

While I have posed the question regarding the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, there is a second that I haven’t raised to this point. Does a famous owner influence the potential value of a classic car? It is another question that we have tackled in the past here at Barn Finds, and the results have been interesting. It seems that it often makes little difference unless the person and car in question are inextricably linked. That may be the case with Fangio and this 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster. His name will always be synonymous with the brand, and having the opportunity to own a car driven by a five-time World Champion doesn’t happen every day. If this were a pristine example, it would be fair to expect it to reach a price of around $1.4 million. While it isn’t perfect, it is an unrestored survivor with a known history. I’m willing to stick my neck out on this classic and predict that the bidding will pass $2,000,000. What do you think?

Photos: Tim Scott ©2022 Courtesy of RM Sotheby’s