Beschreibung:

1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet Chassis no. 1880105500019• Original paint colour of 'Graphitgrau' (DB190) • Recent investment of circa €100,000 • Complete with fitted luggage • One of the most sought after of post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles FootnotesMore 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. 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 cabriolet 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 203/49 were 300 S/Sc cabriolets. 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. Chassis 18801055000019 was delivered new to New York and first registered in July 1955. Originally finished in the highly attractive combination of 'Graphitgrau' (DB190) over red leather (now retrimmed in grey) and optioned with Bosch long-range spot lamps which is retains to this day. The car spent its early life in the United States of America and has a well recorded history from 1989. In 2002 it returned to Europe where it formed part of the collection of Mercedes-Benz France for 15 years. Upon his purchase in 2017 the current owner made a significant investment in the car to bring the older American restoration up to his own exacting