1953 MERCEDES 300 S COUPÉ

No reserve One of the most luxurious models of its time One of the 216 coupés manufactured Very sought-after vehicle Swedish registration title Chassis n° 188011 – 00229 – 53 Engine n° 1880111701 After the Second World War, MercedesBenz needed a high-end model to regain its prestige. The MercedesBenz 300 sedan was presented at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show and was the first new post-war model in the German company’s catalog. Konrad Adenauer, the first chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, made it his official vehicle and used six different ones during his term of office. So much so that the 300 will be commonly renamed 300 Adenauer. The sedan was soon be joined by the 300 S (Super), presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1951, which was a short-wheelbase derivative of the 300 sedan. True to the brand’s slogan «Das Beste oder nichts», the best or nothing, the 300 S, available as a Coupé, Cabriolet and Roadster, was aimed at wealthy customers. To achieve this, it was presented at the time as the most luxurious and technically advanced vehicle on the market. Assembled by top technicians at the Mercedes-Benz Karosserie in Sindelfingen under the direction of design chief Hermann Ahrens, its bodywork is elegant with headlights integrated into the front wings. The finish is also impeccable, from hand-stitched leather seats to the inlay of precious wood, the precise fit of the doors,  the beautifully polished paint and chrome, and the custom-made luggage that comes with each car. The extensive handiwork required for the exclusive production of each example of this luxury car limited its production to a total of 560 examples between 1952 and 1955, of which 216 were coupes, 203 convertibles and 141 roadsters. Under its conservative lines, enhanced by a majestic vertical grille set back from the front wings detached from the hood and its running boards under the doors, are hidden mechanical solutions (engine, suspension and chassis) derived from the formidable 300 SL Gullwing.  The 300 S is powered by the 3-liter, single overhead cam, 6-cylinder light alloy engine fed by three Solex carburetors, developing 150 hp at 5,000 rpm, capable of propelling this 1,760 kg car to a top speed of 175 km/h. Its X-shaped chassis made of oval steel tubes benefits from independent suspension and winged aluminum drum brakes on all four wheels. Only one major evolution will mark the career of this model: the Bosch injection on the 300 Sc. In addition to its presence and performance, its cost (twice as high as that of a 300 SL Gullwing and a Rolls Royce) contributed to the prestige of this model particularly appreciated by the greats of this world, from royalty to Hollywood elites and industry leaders, such as the Aga Khan or actors Bing Crosby and Clark Gable, to quote only them. Today, the 300 S is one of the most sought-after post-war Mercedes-Benzes. The 300 S pictured here is a true rarity, as it is one of only 216 coupes built. The car was repainted, and its interior in sublime red leather, redone. The new owner will be able to simply restore the mechanical part, or to tackle a restoration in the rules of the art, which this sacred monster of the star brand certainly deserves. During our examination, we noticed that the engine traverse had been re-welded.