Fangio's SL

The affinity that Juan Manuel Fangio held with the motorsport community simply cannot be understated. From the most ardent of racing fans, to those actively involved in the sport either historically or in the present day, to casual enthusiasts who merely express an interest in the grid, Fangio, affectionately known to many as “El Maestro”, is widely recognised not only as one of the greatest drivers of all time, but also one of the most charismatic and popular.

The Argentinian dominated contemporary Formula 1 racing of his era, racking up five World Drivers’ Championship titles in the 1950s, two of those achieved driving for Mercedes-Benz, scoring consecutive seasons’ victories in 1954 and 1955 behind the wheel of the peerless W196. Given that Fangio’s stature remains strong even after he passed away over 25 years ago, all surviving artefacts that are connected either to the driver or to the Mercedes-Benz racing team of the era are incredibly significant bedrocks in the history of motorsport.

Precious remnants of the Balcarce-born driver’s celebrated life rarely surpass the magnitude of cars that the man is known to have driven. In a golden age of motorsport, when Fangio would go wheel-to-wheel on a regular basis with the likes of Alberto Ascari, Giuseppe Farina, Mike Hawthorn, Sir Stirling Moss, among many more, the Argentinian piloted some of the most important racing cars of all time, not limited to the aforementioned W196 further to the Maserati 250F, and Lancia-Ferrari D50A that he campaigned in his numerous title wins.

In many ways, though, this Mercedes-Benz deserves equal historical footing to any of El Maestro’s racing cars with which he forged his legacy, as it was this road car that he treasured and drove off with into his retirement years.

Presented as a retirement gift to Fangio from Mercedes-Benz in 1958, this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster is known to have been one of the driver’s favourite cars. Such was the driver’s popularity with the German manufacturer and racing team, the gift came two years after he had left Daimler-Benz AG to join rivals Scuderia Ferrari, where he would earn his fourth Drivers’ title, and subsequently in the following year at Officine Alfieri Maserati, where Fangio would become a five-time world champion. The bond that Fangio had forged with Mercedes-Benz stayed true and the 300 SL Roadster was delivered in time for his 47th birthday. Received at The Dorchester Hotel in London, it marked his phenomenal achievements for the Stuttgart-based outfit in motorsport.

Finished in Metallic Light Blue over a Cream leather interior, the slender figure of the attractively designed 300 SL Roadster was an instant hit with Fangio. El Maestro is pictured on many occasions behind the wheel of the car with its roof down, while its matching-colours hard top can be equipped for driving in all weathers. Throughout its years of personal ownership as one of Fangio’s most treasured cars, the 300 SL was known to follow the driver around the world. It is believed that almost all of the 72,951 km currently showing on the odometer was accrued at the hands of Fangio. He received the car in England and immediately embarked on a driving tour of Europe with his girlfriend Andrea Berruet ensconced in the passenger seat, playing out his new role as an ambassador for Mercedes-Benz. One of the most memorable pieces of footage of Fangio is an “onboard” of him drifting a Maserati 250F at alarming angles around the Modena Autodrome; it is more than fitting that at the very beginning of the film, Fangio draws up alongside his 250F in this very 300 SL. This 300 SL would be used by Fangio for his Mercedes-Benz ambassadorial work in Europe up until 1960.

Thereafter, Fangio worked with senior figures from the German marque to develop Mercedes-Benz’s market share in the driver’s native South America. The 300 SL Roadster was exported from Europe to Argentina.

This beautiful 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster formerly owned by Juan Manuel Fangio is available from RM Sotheby’s. The upcoming auction with be held between the 21st-25th March 2022. Photos: Tim Scott © RM Sotheby's