Lot 506: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet

More expensive than the 300SL sports car and almost double the price of the contemporary top-of-the-range Cadillac, the Mercedes-Benz 300S was one of the world’s most exclusive automobiles. Elegantly styled in the pre-war manner yet technologically bang up to date, the 300S was built to the Stuttgart firm’s uncompromising quality standards. Inevitably, production was limited, only 760 examples of the 300S/Sc leaving the factory between 1951 and 1958.

The 300S was a short-wheelbase derivative of the 300, one of Mercedes-Benz’s first all-new designs of the post-war era, which had debuted alongside the 220 at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1951. While the 220 was a big advance on the existing 170, the 300 re-established Mercedes-Benz in the front rank of prestige car manufacturers, marking as it did a return to the marque’s tradition of building high-performance luxury automobiles of the finest quality.

“To the characteristics of high performance, impressive appearance and fine detail finish which distinguished the big Mercedes models of pre-war days are added new virtues of silence, flexibility and lightness of control, while the latest rear suspension, a product of long experience on Grand Prix cars and touring cars, confers a degree of security at high speeds on rough and slippery surfaces which it would be very difficult indeed to equal,” observed Autocar magazine.

Although Mercedes-Benz would adopt unitary chassis/body construction for its lower and mid-priced cars as the 1950s progressed, the retention of a traditional separate frame for the 300 enabled a wide variety of coachbuilt body types to be offered. The 300’s cross-braced, oval-tube chassis followed the lines of the 170S and 220, with independent suspension all round and four-wheel drum brakes, but incorporated the added refinements of hypoid bevel final drive, dynamically balanced wheels and remote electrical control of the rear suspension ride height.

Initially developing 115bhp, the 3-liter, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine - used in fuel-injected form in the 300SL sports car - was boosted in power for the succeeding 300b and 300c models, finally gaining fuel injection in the re-styled 300d of 1957. Other improvements along the way included larger brakes (with servo-assistance from 1954), optional power steering (on the 300d) and the adoption of three-speed automatic transmission as standard on the latter.

Custom built by Mercedes-Benz’s most experienced craftsmen, the Mercedes-Benz 300 was luxuriously appointed and trimmed with materials of the highest quality. Fast and elegant, it was one of very few contemporary vehicles capable of carrying six passengers in comfort at sustained high speeds. The 300 was the car of choice among West German government officials, and throughout Europe and the USA was widely favored by businessmen, financiers and politicians. Indeed, ‘Adenauer’ became the 300 sedan’s unofficial model name, after German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, its most famous customer.

The conservatively styled 300 sedan was soon joined by the 300S (Super), a model which succeeded in recapturing all the elegance of the pre-war 540K. Introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1951, the 300S was built in coupé and convertible forms on a shortened 300 sedan chassis. Not only was the 300S considerably lighter than the sedan, it was also more powerful, boasting an engine equipped with triple (as opposed to twin) Solex carburetors and a raised compression ratio. Maximum power output was increased to 150bhp and top speed to 110mph.

This 300S was restored to a high standard in the 1990s. Commenced by a garage in Germany, the work was completed by noted 300 restorer, Kienle Automobiltechnik of Stuttgart. Since completion the car has been used, stored and preserved in top condition, forming part of a private collection on the West Coast of Florida until acquired by the consignor. All systems are reported as fully functional. Finished in cabernet red with tan leather interior, the latter retaining its original Becker Nurburg radio, the car is offered with recent service record and Certificate of Title.

A fast touring automobile in the tradition of the legendary 540K, the 300S was faster, better handling, more comfortable and generally superior to its pre-war ancestor. It was Mercedes-Benz’s flagship model: stylish, exclusive and intended for a wealthy and discerning clientele that demanded superlative performance but were unwilling to sacrifice luxurious appointments and generously sized accommodation. Today the 300S is among the most sought after of post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles.