1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster

• One of only 141 300 S Roadsters produced
• Delivered new in California, USA
• Fitted with its matching-numbers engine
• Exceptional restoration
• Present ownership since 2017

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 at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 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.

"To the characteristics of high performance, impressive appearance and fine detail finish which distinguished the big Mercedes models of pre-war days are added new virtues of silence, flexibility and lightness of control, while the latest rear suspension, a product of long experience on Grand Prix cars and touring cars, confers a degree of security at high speeds on rough and slippery surfaces which it would be very difficult indeed to equal," observed Autocar magazine.

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 300 was the car of choice among West German government officials, and throughout Europe and the USA was widely favoured by businessmen, financiers and politicians. Indeed, 'Adenauer' became the 300's unofficial model name, after German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, its most famous customer.

Undeniably beautiful, the 300 S models looked exactly what they were: well built, well engineered and well designed. Mercedes was, arguably, far ahead of the curve with their offerings of hard-to-improve-upon coachwork in the pre-war era. As the 1950s began they were even clearer in their tailoring of cars and appropriate bodies for their discerning clientele.

The conservatively styled 300 Saloon was soon joined by the 300 S (Super), a model that 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.

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 110mph (176km/h). 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 switchgear.

As one might expect of Mercedes, they have kept comprehensive archival records of their production and were pleased to confirm for Bonhams that this 300 S Roadster was delivered new on 2nd April 1953. Its destination was the USA and the new Roadster was finished in Cream (DB 629) and upholstered in red-brown leather. The Datenkarte confirms that it is matching numbers (engine and chassis) and was delivered new via Riviera Motors in San Francisco, California.

Between 2003 and 2010 the Mercedes was restored for the Samsung Car Collection at a cost of more than € 415,000 (invoices on file). Sold by Bonhams at our Mercedes-Benz Museum Sale in Stuttgart in 2016, and purchased by the current owner via a well-respected classic Mercedes-Benz dealer in 2017, it has always been well looked after. Used sparingly since the rebuild's completion, it still presents beautifully as only the best restorations do. The quality of the work is absolutely breathtaking, and the attention to detail and factory correctness is equally impressive. Particularly worthy of note is the rare floor-mounted gear lever, a sportier option than the much more common steering column-mounted gear change.

This spectacular car is offered with a substantial file containing the German registration documents; restoration invoices; copies of the Datenkarte; and a lubrication and maintenance service booklet.