LOT 55
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe Coachwork by Sindelfingen Chassis no. 188011-00028 Engine no. 188920-00152 Body no. 00014/53
Sold for US$332,250 inc. premium
Lot 55
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupe
Coachwork by Sindelfingen
Chassis no. 188011-00028
Engine no. 188920-00152
Body no. 00014/53
Coachwork by Sindelfingen
Chassis no. 188011-00028
Engine no. 188920-00152
Body no. 00014/53
2,996cc SOHC Inline 6-Cylinder Engine
3 Solex Carburetors
150bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Rear Swing Axle with Coil Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*A rare and handsome flagship Mercedes-Benz coupe
*Beautifully presented as original in Silver over Red leather
*One of 216 300S Coupes produced
*Includes fitted luggage
*Retains its numbers-matching engine
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300S
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first new post-war flagship sedan at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1951. The elegant 300 sedan was an imposing statement of European luxury, offered as either a four-door sedan or four-door full convertible. The press and buying public praised it for its exceptional engineering and build quality, and it soon became a favorite among celebrities and heads of state alike, including Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, whose affinity for the sedan earned it the eponymous nickname. Mercedes-Benz followed with a more sporting version, the 300S – the "S" denoting it as Super. The 300S chassis was shortened by 25 centimeters and offered as an elegant coupe, a beautiful open-topped cabriolet, or a disappearing-top roadster, all built at the renowned Sindelfingen factory. In essence, the 300S was the post-war spiritual successor to the legendary 540K. The S-specification cars featured an uprated 3.0-liter inline-six with 3 Solex carburetors and a boosted compression ratio to 150 horsepower, up from the standard car's 115. The engine is backed by a smooth and reliable four-speed manual with a delightfully slick column shift. The suspension is independent in front with a swing axle arrangement in the rear, sprung with coils. While tuned for comfort, the 300S is still a respectable handler and is impressively poised at speed. The solid road feel and opulent appointments made the 300S a very special place to spend time. Exclusivity was assured as only 560 examples of the 300S were hand-built between 1952 and 1958. That exclusivity also came with a price: A whopping $12,680 in 1953 – about twice the price of a new Cadillac. Notable 300S owners included Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, and The Aga Khan, who all could easily afford the cost of entry into the exclusive club.
THE CAR OFFERED
Appealing and elegant in its original shade of DB180 Silver Grey over 1080 red leather upholstery, this 300S is one of 216 examples of Mercedes-Benz's magnificent flagship Coupe produced. This car benefits from a well-maintained older restoration, and is documented with the factory data card, restoration photos, and a summary of the project costs. In the long-running tradition of Mercedes-Benz coupes, this car is opulently appointed for relaxed touring with swathes of high-quality leather, gorgeous burl wood trim, chrome fittings, a Blaupunkt Nurburg radio, and fitted suitcases in the boot.
Documents on file show the restoration was performed in the mid-1990s and it is reported to have been well-maintained in the ensuing years. The paintwork presents well overall, and the leather trim has taken on a pleasing light character through age and use. The engine bay and undercarriage are tidy and well detailed with authentic fittings and hardware, and useful touches like a stainless-steel exhaust system. The engine, chassis, and body numbers match the records provided on the factory data card. In addition to the luggage, the boot also houses a factory jack and lug wrench.
Rare and imposing, this finely restored and well-preserved 300S Coupe is a worthy addition to virtually any collection.
3 Solex Carburetors
150bhp at 5,000rpm
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Independent Front Suspension, Rear Swing Axle with Coil Springs
4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
*A rare and handsome flagship Mercedes-Benz coupe
*Beautifully presented as original in Silver over Red leather
*One of 216 300S Coupes produced
*Includes fitted luggage
*Retains its numbers-matching engine
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300S
Mercedes-Benz unveiled its first new post-war flagship sedan at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1951. The elegant 300 sedan was an imposing statement of European luxury, offered as either a four-door sedan or four-door full convertible. The press and buying public praised it for its exceptional engineering and build quality, and it soon became a favorite among celebrities and heads of state alike, including Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, whose affinity for the sedan earned it the eponymous nickname. Mercedes-Benz followed with a more sporting version, the 300S – the "S" denoting it as Super. The 300S chassis was shortened by 25 centimeters and offered as an elegant coupe, a beautiful open-topped cabriolet, or a disappearing-top roadster, all built at the renowned Sindelfingen factory. In essence, the 300S was the post-war spiritual successor to the legendary 540K. The S-specification cars featured an uprated 3.0-liter inline-six with 3 Solex carburetors and a boosted compression ratio to 150 horsepower, up from the standard car's 115. The engine is backed by a smooth and reliable four-speed manual with a delightfully slick column shift. The suspension is independent in front with a swing axle arrangement in the rear, sprung with coils. While tuned for comfort, the 300S is still a respectable handler and is impressively poised at speed. The solid road feel and opulent appointments made the 300S a very special place to spend time. Exclusivity was assured as only 560 examples of the 300S were hand-built between 1952 and 1958. That exclusivity also came with a price: A whopping $12,680 in 1953 – about twice the price of a new Cadillac. Notable 300S owners included Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, and The Aga Khan, who all could easily afford the cost of entry into the exclusive club.
THE CAR OFFERED
Appealing and elegant in its original shade of DB180 Silver Grey over 1080 red leather upholstery, this 300S is one of 216 examples of Mercedes-Benz's magnificent flagship Coupe produced. This car benefits from a well-maintained older restoration, and is documented with the factory data card, restoration photos, and a summary of the project costs. In the long-running tradition of Mercedes-Benz coupes, this car is opulently appointed for relaxed touring with swathes of high-quality leather, gorgeous burl wood trim, chrome fittings, a Blaupunkt Nurburg radio, and fitted suitcases in the boot.
Documents on file show the restoration was performed in the mid-1990s and it is reported to have been well-maintained in the ensuing years. The paintwork presents well overall, and the leather trim has taken on a pleasing light character through age and use. The engine bay and undercarriage are tidy and well detailed with authentic fittings and hardware, and useful touches like a stainless-steel exhaust system. The engine, chassis, and body numbers match the records provided on the factory data card. In addition to the luggage, the boot also houses a factory jack and lug wrench.
Rare and imposing, this finely restored and well-preserved 300S Coupe is a worthy addition to virtually any collection.
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