1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster

2,996cc SOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 Solex Carburetors
148bhp
4-Speed Manual Transmission
4-Wheel Coil Spring Independent Suspension with Rear Swing Axles
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes

*Beautiful, documented restoration by a marque specialist in stunning colors
*One of only 141 300 S Roadsters built
*Equipped with an original set of factory Karl Baisch fitted luggage
*Complete with fascinating partial original Mercedes-Benz Touring Spares kit

THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300 S

The introduction of the 300 sedan marked Mercedes-Benz's postwar return to the great luxury automobiles for which they had earlier been famed. It was a masterful bridge between the old and the new, incorporating a traditional upright radiator shell and large headlamps with flowing, pontoon-style front fenders, fully integrated into up-to-date modern bodywork. In a touch of old-world craftsmanship much of the chrome trim was individually hand-fitted to each car. The interior was an oasis of the finest old-world craftsmanship, with spectacular varnished woodwork everywhere one could look, and armchair-like seats upholstered in the best, thickest leathers. A modern inline six-cylinder engine was tucked under the hood, offering smooth performance to match the road manners of a modern tubular chassis and four-wheel independent suspension. A novel touch was a pedal-operated central lubrication system. In short order the 300 became the favored transportation of the world's wealthiest, most important personages.

Those for whom the standard 300 was simply not quite spezial enough soon had an alternative, the 300 S, a finely crafted, hand-built car. This model represented an evolution of the 300 into more of a sporting grand tourer. The chassis was shortened by 150 mm and the engine's horsepower was increased by some 30 percent via higher compression and the fitment of triple carburetors, providing a top speed of 110 mph. Surrounding it was sumptuous two-door coachwork, individually hand-crafted by the Mercedes-Benz factory shop at Sindelfingen in three styles, Coupe, Cabriolet, and Roadster. The Roadster was almost certainly the most striking variant, featuring a convertible top that folded flush with the rear deck, providing a smooth, clean, utterly sporting appearance that emphasized the 300 S's performance intentions.

A mere 141 of the 300 S Roadster were produced, the last of them in 1955, for a roster of owners that included numerous Hollywood film stars and prominent government figures, including the King of Jordan and the last Shah of Iran. The survivors are among the most exclusive, prized Mercedes-Benz passenger car models of the postwar era and remain fiercely sought-after by collectors. It is significant to note that they are considerably rarer by a factor of ten, than the famed 300 SL 'Gullwing.'

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

The example offered here was produced late in the 300 S production run and thus incorporates all the running improvements made to the model over its life prior to the introduction of the successor 300 Sc. According to history passed to the current owner, it was purchased new in 1955 by an American medical doctor who shipped it to Charleston, South Carolina, where it is noted to have remained until 1970. It then moved to Tacoma, Washington, where it remained virtually untouched until the current owner began restoration in 2012. Between August 2012 and April 2021, a meticulous rebuild was undertaken in which every aspect of the car was fully restored and returned to the factory-correct specification. The restoration was led by Mr. Siegfried Linke, Mercedes-Benz expert and Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance judge. All receipts for parts and work performed during the restoration are available, as are hundreds of photographs of the restoration as it progressed.

The result is spectacular in its finish and details, with the gorgeous wooden dashboard supporting beautiful VDO instruments set within jewel-like chrome bezels, as well as a Becker Mexico radio with power antenna. The body gleams in its subtly metallic Seafoam Green, while the interior and top are both of a complementary hue and impressively well-finished. According to the owner, all parts have been refinished or refurbished, including the chrome, upholstery, interior wood, wiring, engine, and drivetrain.

Accompanying the car are several special accessories, including a Mercedes-Benz tool roll and rare original owner's manual, parts manual, workshop manual, and mint reprinted sales brochure. Especially fascinating and rare is a Mercedes spares kit in a handsome wooden traveling box, designed for continental touring, which is partially complete and absolutely fascinating to examine. Further the trunk contains a full set of original, correct non-reproduction Karl Baisch fitted luggage as was available for the 300 S. It should be noted that the present engine bears the original engine number stamping but with an affixed Mercedes-Benz tag noting "Tauschaggregat" and stamped 188-55294, indicating a factory exchange unit. The owner believes that the 50,585km recorded at the time of cataloguing are actual, given the car's long sojourn out of public view between 1970 and 2012.

This is a very handsome example of a truly significant Mercedes-Benz model, one of the finest touring machines that the company has ever produced – a coachbuilt postwar classic in the grand tradition.