Beschreibung:

Colour: Black with red leather interior Cylinders: 6; 2,996cc Gears: 4 + reverse Power: 150bhp (DIN) Produced: 1951-1955 Production: 560 More expensive than the 300SL sports car and almost double the price of the contemporary top-of-the-range Cadillac, the Mercedes-Benz 300S was one of the world’s most exclusive automobiles. Elegantly styled in the pre-war manner yet technologically bang up to date, the 300S was built to the Stuttgart firm’s uncompromising quality standards. Inevitably, production was limited, only 760 examples of the 300S/Sc (560/200) leaving the factory between 1951 and 1958. The 300S was a short-wheelbase derivative of the 300 saloon, one of Mercedes-Benz’s first all-new designs of the post-war era, which had debuted 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. 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 family 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 300SL sports car - was boosted in power for the succeeding 300b and 300c models, finally gaining fuel injection in the re-styled 300d of 1957. Custom built by Mercedes-Benz’s most experienced craftsmen, the Mercedes-Benz 300 was luxuriously appointed and trimmed with materials of the highest quality. The conservatively styled saloon was soon joined by the 300S (Super), a model which succeeded in recapturing all the elegance of the pre-war 540K. Introduced at the Paris Salon in October 1951, the 300S was built in coupé and cabriolet forms on a shortened 300 saloon chassis. Not only was the 300S 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 (109mph). Only one significant change was made in the model’s lifetime: the introduction in 1955 of the fuel-injected 300Sc which incorporated improvements - including revised rear suspension - also made to the saloon. We are advised that this 300S Coupé has enjoyed only three owners and covered a mere 103,000 kilometres from new. In the vendor’s hands since 2006, it benefits from thorough servicing and extensive refurbishment carried out that same year by his personal mechanic, which included re-commissioning the engine; overhauling the carburettors, ignition system and brakes; replacing ancillary drive belts; reconditioning the interior woodwork and leather upholstery; replacing all the carpets (including boot) and much more besides. (A full listing of all the work carried out, plus an inventory of parts purchased and their costs, comes with the car). The refurbished interior retains a delightful original patina, while other noteworthy features include a clock, Becker radi