Tim Schofield
Head of UK Business Development, Motoring
LOT 143
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster Chassis no. 188012 00176/53 Engine no. 188920 00182/53
Sold for €310,500 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 143
One of only 194 Roadsters produced
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster
Chassis no. 188012 00176/53
Engine no. 188920 00182/53
Chassis no. 188012 00176/53
Engine no. 188920 00182/53
• One of the most sought after of post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles
• The last word in motoring luxury in its day
• Spanish owned from new
• Present ownership for 45 years
• Restored during the present ownership
• Spanish registration document
More expensive than the 300 SL sports car and almost double the price of the contemporary top-of-the-range Cadillac, the Mercedes-Benz 300 S was one of the world's most exclusive automobiles. It is also historically significant as one of Mercedes-Benz's first all-new designs of the post-war era, debuting in the autumn of 1951. The 300's arrival 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.
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 3.0-litre, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine - used in fuel-injected form in the 300 SL sports car - was boosted in power for the succeeding 300b and 300c models, finally gaining fuel injection in the restyled 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 conservatively styled 300 saloon was soon joined by the 300 S (Super), a model which succeeded in recapturing all the elegance of the pre-war 540K. Introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1951, the 300 S was built in two-seater coupé, cabriolet and roadster forms on a shortened 300 saloon chassis, the cabriolet being the more luxurious of the two soft-tops. Indeed, with its lined hood erected, the convertible was every bit as quiet and comfortable as the fixed-head coupé.
Not only was the two-seater 300 S considerably lighter than the saloon, it was also more powerful, boasting an engine equipped with triple (as opposed to twin) Solex carburettors and a raised compression ratio. Maximum power output was increased to 150bhp and top speed to 176km/h (110mph). Unlike some of its spartanly furnished contemporaries, the 300 S boasted a lavishly equipped interior featuring supple leather upholstery, beautiful burr walnut trim, chromium-plated dashboard instrumentation and precision-made switch gear.
Elegantly styled in the pre-war manner yet technologically bang up to date, the 300 S was built to the Stuttgart firm's uncompromising quality standards. Inevitably, production was limited, only 760 examples of the 300 S/Sc (560/200) leaving the factory between 1951 and 1958, of which only 194 were roadsters. Ownership of such an exclusive automobile was necessarily restricted to a wealthy few, among them film stars Cary Grant and Gary Cooper, and the Aga Khan. Prohibitively expensive when new, these cars have a dedicated following and, being much rarer than both the 300 SL Gullwing and Roadster, afford their fortunate owners enjoyable motoring in matchless style.
This Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster was delivered new in Spain, as evidenced by its supplier's plaque engraved 'Angel Martinez Burges, Barcelona'. Owned by our collector vendor for 45 years, the Mercedes was fully restored during his ownership and is looked after by his team of mechanics. Accompanying documentation consists of Spanish registration paperwork; restoration photographs; manufacturer's 1953 catalogue; build sheet (heavily discoloured); and an original instruction manual.
A fast touring automobile in the tradition of the legendary 540K, the 300 S 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 300 S is among the most sought after of post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and this example affords the prospect of a truly rewarding ownership experience.
• The last word in motoring luxury in its day
• Spanish owned from new
• Present ownership for 45 years
• Restored during the present ownership
• Spanish registration document
More expensive than the 300 SL sports car and almost double the price of the contemporary top-of-the-range Cadillac, the Mercedes-Benz 300 S was one of the world's most exclusive automobiles. It is also historically significant as one of Mercedes-Benz's first all-new designs of the post-war era, debuting in the autumn of 1951. The 300's arrival 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.
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 3.0-litre, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine - used in fuel-injected form in the 300 SL sports car - was boosted in power for the succeeding 300b and 300c models, finally gaining fuel injection in the restyled 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 conservatively styled 300 saloon was soon joined by the 300 S (Super), a model which succeeded in recapturing all the elegance of the pre-war 540K. Introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1951, the 300 S was built in two-seater coupé, cabriolet and roadster forms on a shortened 300 saloon chassis, the cabriolet being the more luxurious of the two soft-tops. Indeed, with its lined hood erected, the convertible was every bit as quiet and comfortable as the fixed-head coupé.
Not only was the two-seater 300 S considerably lighter than the saloon, it was also more powerful, boasting an engine equipped with triple (as opposed to twin) Solex carburettors and a raised compression ratio. Maximum power output was increased to 150bhp and top speed to 176km/h (110mph). Unlike some of its spartanly furnished contemporaries, the 300 S boasted a lavishly equipped interior featuring supple leather upholstery, beautiful burr walnut trim, chromium-plated dashboard instrumentation and precision-made switch gear.
Elegantly styled in the pre-war manner yet technologically bang up to date, the 300 S was built to the Stuttgart firm's uncompromising quality standards. Inevitably, production was limited, only 760 examples of the 300 S/Sc (560/200) leaving the factory between 1951 and 1958, of which only 194 were roadsters. Ownership of such an exclusive automobile was necessarily restricted to a wealthy few, among them film stars Cary Grant and Gary Cooper, and the Aga Khan. Prohibitively expensive when new, these cars have a dedicated following and, being much rarer than both the 300 SL Gullwing and Roadster, afford their fortunate owners enjoyable motoring in matchless style.
This Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster was delivered new in Spain, as evidenced by its supplier's plaque engraved 'Angel Martinez Burges, Barcelona'. Owned by our collector vendor for 45 years, the Mercedes was fully restored during his ownership and is looked after by his team of mechanics. Accompanying documentation consists of Spanish registration paperwork; restoration photographs; manufacturer's 1953 catalogue; build sheet (heavily discoloured); and an original instruction manual.
A fast touring automobile in the tradition of the legendary 540K, the 300 S 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 300 S is among the most sought after of post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles, and this example affords the prospect of a truly rewarding ownership experience.
Footnotes
Un des 194 roadsters construits
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S roadster
Châssis n° 188012 00176/53
Moteur n° 188920 00182/53
• Une Mercedes-Benz d'après-guerre les plus recherchées
• Le nec plus ultra du luxe automobile à l'époque
• Livrée neuve en Espagne
• Aux mains de l'actuel propriétaire depuis 45 ans
• Restaurée par l'actuel propriétaire
• Document d'immatriculation espagnol
Plus chère que la sportive 300 SL et coûtant presque le double du haut de gamme Cadillac, la Mercedes-Benz 300S était l'une des automobiles les plus exclusives du monde. Elle revêt aussi une signification historique importante, étant l'une des premières créations d'après-guerre de Mercedes-Benz, dévoilée à l'automne 1951. L'avènement de la 300 S replaçait Mercedes-Benz au premier rang des constructeurs de prestige et marquait un retour de la marque à la tradition des voitures de luxe à haute performance de la meilleure qualité.
Alors que Mercedes-Benz s'orientait vers la construction monocoque pour ses produits d'attaque et de milieu de gamme au cours des années cinquante, le recours à un châssis séparé pour la gamme 300 permettait de proposer un large éventail de carrosseries. Le châssis à croisillon de tubes ovales de la 300 reprenait le schéma des 170 S et 220 à suspension indépendante et freins à tambour aux quatre roues, mais apportait un supplément de raffinement avec un différentiel à pignons coniques, des roues équilibrées et un réglage électrique à distance de la hauteur des suspensions arrière.
Développant à l'origine 115 ch, le six cylindres 3 litres à arbre à cames en tête – celui utilisé avec une injection d'essence sur la 300 SL – vit sa puissance augmentée sur les 300b et 300c suivantes, adoptant finalement l'injection sur la 300d restylée de 1957. Les autres améliorations apportées au cours des années incluent des freins de plus grande dimension (avec servo-assistance à partir de 1954), la direction assistée en option (sur la 300d) et l'adoption d'une boîte automatique à trois vitesses en série sur cette dernière.
Construite à l'unité par les meilleurs artisans de Mercedes-Benz, la 300 était éminemment luxueuse et habillée de matériaux de la meilleure qualité. Rapide et élégante, c'était l'une des très rares voitures de son époque à pouvoir emmener six passagers dans un confort inégalé en soutenant des vitesses élevées. La berline au style suranné fut rapidement épaulée par la 300 S (Super), un modèle qui reprenait le flambeau d'élégance des 540 K d'avant-guerre. Présentée au Salon de Paris en octobre 1951, la 300 S était proposée en coupé deux places, cabriolet et roadster sur le châssis raccourci de la berline, le cabriolet étant la plus luxueuse des deux décapotables. De fait avec sa capote doublée en place, le cabriolet s'avérait tout aussi silencieux et confortable que le coupé.
Non seulement la 300 S était bien plus légère que la berline, mais elle était aussi plus puissante, disposant d'une alimentation par trois carburateurs Solex (au lieu de deux) et d'un taux de compression plus élevé. La puissance maximale était portée à 150 ch et la vitesse de pointe à 176 km/h. Contrairement à quelques-unes de ses contemporaines à l'équipement spartiate, la 300 S offrait un intérieur luxueusement équipé, doté d'une sellerie en cuir souple, de magnifiques garnitures en ronce de noyer, d'une instrumentation de bord chromée et d'interrupteurs de grande qualité.
Habillée dans un élégant style d'avant-guerre, mais techniquement très en avance, la 300 S était construite selon les exigences de qualité sans compromis de la firme de Stuttgart. Inévitablement, la production en fut limitée et seulement 760 unités des 300 S/Sc (560/200) quittèrent l'usine entre 1951 et 1958, parmi lesquels seulement 194 étaient des roadsters. Posséder une automobile aussi exclusive était évidemment réservée à quelques rares privilégiés, parmi lesquelles les vedettes de cinéma Cary Grant et Gary Cooper et l'Aga Khan. Excessivement coûteux neufs, ces modèles ont été particulièrement bien entretenus et, étant plus rares que les 300 SL « papillon » et
roadster, offrent à leurs heureux propriétaires une expérience de conduite des plus agréables dans un style inégalé.
Cette Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster a été livrée neuve en Espagne, comme le montre à l'évidence la plaque gravée du fournisseur « Angel Martinez Burges, Barcelona ». En possession de notre vendeur collectionneur pendant 45 années, la Mercedes a été entièrement restaurée dans ce laps de temps et a été entretenu par son équipe de mécaniciens. La documentation qui l'accompagne comprend ses papiers d'immatriculation espagnole, des photographies de sa restauration, le catalogue du constructeur de 1953, la fiche de production (très décolorée) et un manuel d'instructions original.
Automobile de grand tourisme dans la tradition de la légendaire 540K, la 300 S était plus rapide, tenait mieux la route, était plus confortable et supérieure d'une manière générale à sa devancière d'avant-guerre. C'était le porte-drapeau de Mercedes-Benz, élégante, exclusive et réservée à une clientèle fortunée et connaisseuse à la recherche de performances superlatives, mais désireuse de ne pas sacrifier les équipements de luxe et une habitabilité généreuse. Aujourd'hui, la 300 S fait partie des Mercedes-Benz d'après-guerre les plus recherchées et cet exemplaire offre l'opportunité d'accéder au plaisir d'une possession valorisante.
Saleroom notices
We are pleased to confirm that the engine number is the original one as per the Mercedes-Benz Datenkarte. Nous avons le plaisir de confirmer que le numéro de moteur est l'original comme présenté sur la Datenkarte Mercedes-Benz.
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