Vehicle Description
Shortly after the debut of the legendary 300 "Adenauer" sedan,
Mercedes-Benz followed up with an opulent, hand-built
coupe/cabriolet variant. These flagship grand touring cars were the
most expensive and exclusive motorcars in the company's vast
portfolio in the 1950s and were considered by Mercedes-Benz as
successors to the legendary pre-war 540K. Internally designated as
the W188, the car utilized the M199 3-liter inline-six with iron
block and alloy OHC cylinder head, shared with the Adenauer sedans.
The initial production run utilized triple Solex carburetors for a
150 horsepower output. Buyers had the choice of a four-place
Cabriolet A, a handsome fixed-roof coupe, or a sportier two-place
roadster. The somewhat conservative styling reflected that of the
sedan, yet it belied the car's sophisticated, over-engineered
underpinnings. Handcrafted at the Sindelfingen works, these cars
were built with vault-like precision. The painstaking assembly
process included leading and filing body panels by hand to ensure
precise, consistent gaps. Each piece of chrome trim was hand-fitted
in bare brass, reshaped as necessary, then matched to the car
before being sent off for plating. With such an exhaustive
production process, it is no surprise that between 1952 and 1955, a
total of only 560 W188 300 S models left the factory. For the
second half of 1955, Mercedes made several refinements to the car,
and changed the designation to "300 Sc." First and foremost was the
addition of Bosch mechanical fuel injection shared with the exotic
300SL sports car. Output jumped from 150hp to 175hp, improving
flexibility and high-speed performance. Alfin brakes and with
revised boosters improved braking performance along with the bump
in horsepower, and subtle refinements improved the ride and
handling characteristics. The car remained enormously costly to
build and to buy. In America, the 300 Sc cost an astounding
$12,500, which put it well above its nearest American rival, the
$10,000 Continental MkII, and nearly twice the price of a Cadillac
Eldorado. Except for some Hollywood stars who appreciated its
glamorous looks, Americans didn't warm to the 300, citing the
eye-watering price tag as much as the lack of a V8 engine or
automatic gearbox. In the end, the second generation W188-II 300 Sc
sold in even smaller numbers, with just 200 cars built in total.
Today, these opulent and beautiful cars stand proudly among the
most desirable post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles, second only to
their mechanical cousin, the 300 SL. Presented in unrestored
condition is this highly desirable, fuel-injected 1956
Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Cabriolet A. The Cabriolet A is the rarest of
the three body styles offered by Mercedes on the W188-II chassis,
with just 49 constructed in total (vs. 53 roadsters and 98 coupes).
This incredible motorcar has had just two family owners from new,
and it presents in unrestored condition with its original interior
and numbers-matching engine with Bosch injection intact. A
hand-written letter by the previous owner recounts how he acquired
the car from a wealthy couple in the 1960s. The first owners, Mr.
and Mrs. James McDonald III, purchased the car while living in
Germany in the late 1950s, using it there for a brief time before
shipping it to their new home in California. They enjoyed the
Mercedes-Benz at home in the Bay area and on their ranch in the
Napa Valley. At the time, the McDonalds became friends with the
gentleman who would become the second owner, an in-home physical
therapist who treated Mrs. McDonald. When the McDonalds announced
they were moving to Hawaii and could only take two cars, they sold
the Mercedes-Benz to their friend, the therapist, and it has
remained in his possession ever since. In the same letter, he
describes having the car serviced at the British car dealer in Van
Nuys, California, before finding happier arrangements at a Mercedes
dealer near Stanford University. He continued to use the car for
some time, all the while taking great care to maintain it in
excellent condition. At one point in the 1970s, the car was put up
for storage in their new home in the upper Midwest, where it
remained quietly tucked away until only recently. Now emerged from
long-term storage, this Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Cabriolet is quite
possibly one of the most original examples of this highly desirable
model extant. It presents in its original color of DB 180Silbergrau
Metallic over a red leather interior and factory black vinyl top.
Considering its time off the road, it is in remarkable condition
overall. The silver-gray paintwork shows some fading, and it
appears to have had respray in the original color, likely following
repairs made to the left rear fender early in the car's life. There
is also some very minor damage to the rear bumper and under the
license plate area. The paint is fair and presentable for an
unrestored car, although it will require attention in the future.
The body is primarily sound, with some corrosion evident on the
inner sills and along the trailing edges of the front wings. The
doors shut with precision and display tight, consistent gaps. The
exterior fittings are remarkably complete and in excellent
condition, with only a couple of minor trim pieces lost to time.
The highly original red interior is a particular highlight. The
front and rear seats, door panels, and headlining are beautifully
preserved and show a marvelous patina; more than suitable for
further preservation work. Similarly, the wood dash and door caps
are excellent, displaying some moderate cracking in the lacquer
finish, but appearing to have very good veneer and structure. The
instruments, controls, and factory Becker Mexico radio are in
superb original condition. After coming out of storage, the
original, numbers-matching engine (per the factory data card) was
carefully checked to ensure it was free and sound. The fuel
injection pump received similar care before startup. Following a
basic service, the engine fired up quickly and now runs
beautifully, with strong oil pressure. Compression is good, and
likely to improve with gentle use. The clutch is free and feels
sound, the gearbox operates smoothly, and the exterior lights, turn
signals, and dash lights work as they should. The gorgeous 300 Sc
is among the most desirable of all post-war Mercedes-Benz
production cars. Emerging from nearly 50 years of quiet slumber,
this marvelous Cabriolet A is a prime candidate for a
straightforward restoration or more selective preservation of its
superb original features. Available for the first time on the open
market, this 300 Sc is sure to please the most passionate of
Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6519-1956-mercedes-benz-300sc-cabriolet-a/