Here is the story in Frank's own words on how he obtained the 250SL :
Another great story.
Remember the story last year of the 630K. Well here is another one. On the Veterans mailing list is a chap called Frank Mallory who owns a 250SL. Nothing special there until I tell you it has a five speed manual transmission and a limited slip diff. Now here is the rest of the story.
On the Vets list we were discussing lots of things including chromed engine bays. As most of you would know Mercedes-Benz don't come with chromed engine bays. Wrong, here is the story as told by Frank.
I got a job assignment working in Holland starting in Jan., 1967; so I sold the Gullwing, 220S Coupe, 190SL, and Volvo P1800 I had at the time and figured I would buy a new 250SL configured the way I wanted it (5-speed, limited slip, etc); delivery to coincide with the MBCA Stuttgart Saffari so I could take advantage of the VIP treatment that Club members got at that time.
The 250SL was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in March '67. So I went to the show and when looking over the 250SL show car, noticed that the engine was finished very specially: Valve cover painted black, aluminum parts polished, injection lines and other pipes chrome plated. So I asked the Factory rep if I could buy a car with the engine finished like that, and he said "Sure!" Fortunately, I GOT HIS BUSINESS CARD.
There was a side door next to the MB stand, and he said I should go out there and get a test drive. Went out with a Factory driver, and he let me drive the car after showing me how everything worked; got it up to 200 kph on a road leading from Geneva; very impressive!
So when I got back to Holland, I ordered a car with my desired SA codes through the Dutch importer; also told them that I wanted a "factory polished show car engine". They didn't know what I was talking about, so I got in touch with the MB rep from Geneva and asked for his assistance. Well, that's the way I got it. Found out later that the sale of such a car to me had to be approved by the DBAG directors, and I have a data card that shows that.
Other "sticky" items were omission of outside mirror (I preferred a pair of Talbots) and the 5-speed trans on a USA car. Both of these were violation of laws (German law required cars to have a side view mirror, and American laws required smog controls that were not available with the 5-speed). When I picked up the car at the Factory, they told me that they washed their hands of it and couldn't guarantee that I would be able to get it into the States; if I succeeded, it would be the only 5-speed 250SL going to the U.S. I had no trouble at all getting the car through customs when I returned to the U.S.
The MB rep told me that next time I wanted a car,I should order it directly through him; but I still have the 250SL and have never taken advantage of his offer; I am sure he is gone by now.
So that't the story of 250SL #3757; and tho it is not one of the last two cars produced, I am sure that everyone will agree it is as I said, "rare and unique".
This car is one of 5,002 250SLs made during 1967. It was delivered to its present owner, Frank Mallory, at Stuttgart, Germany, on Sept. 7, 1967. It was used extensively in Mercedes-Benz Club of America events through 1971. It won the Daimler-Benz trophy in 1969, and placed second in men's point rank and first in women's rank in M-BCA National Events; it placed first in the GT class at the 1970 Gunston Hall Car Show.
On the road, 250SL no. 3757 has covered 140,000+ miles in the U. S., Canada, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Austria.
