LOT 135

1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupé Chassis no. 188011 00090/52 Engine no. 18892000080/52

Estimate: €250,000 - €300,000

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Lot 135

1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupé

The Paris Sale|30 January 2026, 12:00 CET|Paris, Polo de Paris

1953 Mercedes-Benz 300S Coupé
Chassis no. 188011 00090/52
Engine no. 18892000080/52

• Unsurpassed style and luxury
• One of only 216 made
• Restored in 2002
• Set of suitcases included

Right from the marque's creation in 1926 by the merger of Daimler-Benz and Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz's top-of-the-range models have ranked in the forefront of the world's greatest automobiles. Throughout the 1950s the company's flagship model was the 300S, a luxurious Grand Tourer in the tradition of the pre-war 540 K, which was both lighter and faster than its illustrious predecessor. Mercedes-Benz's first prestige car of the post-WW2 period, the 300 debuted at the Paris Salon in 1951. The range comprised the six-light, four-door saloon and similar-sized cabriolet, plus a trio of two-door variants built on a shorter wheelbase.

Like the majority of 1950s luxury cars, the 300 retained a separate chassis, though unlike most of its rivals could boast all-independent suspension. Later to form the basis of the immortal 300 SL sports car's, the 3.0-litre, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine produced 115bhp, an output good enough to endow the saloon with a genuine 100mph maximum speed despite an all-up weight of 1,780kg (almost 4,000lbs). And while not unique in that respect, the 300 could cruise at close to its maximum speed while transporting six passengers in comfort in a manner that few of its contemporaries could match.

Even more performance was available to those in a position to afford a 300S. At US$12,500 the latter was more than double the price of the most expensive Cadillac and costlier than a 300 SL, so remained the province of a highly select clientele. Built in coupé, cabriolet and roadster versions, the 300S enjoyed an extra 35bhp courtesy of an increased compression ratio and three - as opposed to two - Solex downdraft carburettors. Its top speed was 176km/h (109mph), a figure improved upon by the subsequent 300Sc.

This 300S coupé was restored in 2002 and comes with numerous photographs relating to the rebuild. Finished in dark red with beige leather interior, the Mercedes is in very nice condition throughout and it has a very elegant appearance. It has a Dutch registration. Accompanying documentation consists of history files (dating back 30 years), an old-style logbook and a 'datenkarte'. Also, with the car comes a tool kit and a set of suitcases. This car is ready to be enjoyed on a summer trip through the country side.

Footnotes

Mercedes 300S Coupé de 1953
Châssis n° 188011 00090/52
Moteur n° 18892000080/52

• Luxe et allure inégalés
• L'une des 216 produites
• Restaurée en 2002
• Jeu de bagages inclus

Depuis la création de la marque en 1926, par la fusion de Daimler-Benz et de Mercedes, les modèles de haut de gamme de Mercedes-Benz figurent en tête des plus belles automobiles du monde. Tout au long des années 1950, le vaisseau amiral de la marque fut la 300S, une luxueuse décapotable dans la lignée des 540 K d'avant-guerre, mais plus légère et plus rapide que son illustre devancière. Premier modèle de prestige de Mercedes après la guerre, la 300 fut présentée au Salon de Paris 1951. Sa gamme se composait d'une berline quatre-portes à six glaces et d'un cabriolet de dimensions identiques, ainsi que d'un trio de deux-portes construites sur un empattement raccourci.

A l'instar de la majorité des voitures de luxe des années 1950, la 300 était construite sur un châssis séparé mais, contrairement à la plupart de ses rivales, elle bénéficiait de quatre roues indépendantes. Son six-cylindres en ligne de 3.0 litres à arbre à cames en tête, qui devait motoriser par la suite l'immortelle sportive 300 SL, délivrait 115 chevaux qui assuraient à cette berline un bon 160 km/h, malgré ses 1 780 kg. Et, même si elle n'était pas la seule à en être capable, la 300 pouvait soutenir une vitesse proche de ce maximum tout en assurant à ses six passagers un confort que peu de ses contemporaines pouvaient offrir.

Ceux qui en avaient les moyens pouvaient, avec la 300S, jouir de plus de performance encore. A 12 500 dollars, soit davantage qu'une 300 SL et le double de la Cadillac la plus chère, elle était l'apanage d'une clientèle de haut vol. La 300S, déclinée en coupé, cabriolet et roadster, bénéficiait de 35 ch de plus du fait d'un taux de compression majoré et de trois, et non plus deux, carburateurs Solex inversés. Elle atteignait 176 km/h, un chiffre que la 300Sc qui la suivit améliora encore.

Cette 300S coupé fut restaurée en 2002 et s'accompagne de nombreuses photos relatant l'opération. De couleur rouge foncé sur un intérieur en cuir beige, elle est en très bon état et affiche une allure très élégante. Elle est immatriculée aux Pays-Bas et sa documentation se compose d'un dossier d'historique (sur 30 ans), d'un carnet de bord d'autrefois et d'une 'datenkarte'. Elle dispose par ailleurs d'une trousse à outils et d'un jeu de bagages. Cette voiture est prête à se faire apprécier lors de promenades d'été à la campagne.

Saleroom notices

Please note that the suitcases mentioned in the cataloguing are not with the Car. This car does not come with history files dating back 30 years and a data karte, as stated in the catalogue. Veuillez noter que les valises mentionnées dans le catalogue ne sont pas fournies avec la voiture. Cette voiture n'est pas livrée avec les dossiers historiques remontant à 30 ans et une carte de données, comme indiqué dans le catalogue.

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