This is the first appearance for the Mercedes 300SL in the hardtop version. I'm not sure how good the model is in terms of being a detailed replica of the real car, but it certainly gets to the essence of the beast. It is very very stylish. The 300SL was number 303 as an open sports and 304 with the roof. Early cars have no suspension and are just 304, in 1961 they gained suspension, but no seats and were renumbered 304s. The suspension is unique to these cars in that it is a single butterfly spring fitted laterally to each axle. These are known to stick so it can appear that a later 304s car has no suspension. The 1959 release is always yellow and can have a red hardtop or a yellow hardtop. 304s is white or plated silver with a red hardtop. The all yellow 304 is hard to find and consequently worth a lot more.
This is also a really smart example of the toy, I'm really pleased with it.
