Vehicle Description
The flagship 300-series sedan debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in
1951. The large, elegant six-cylinder sedan was graceful yet
imposing, a statement of European luxury that was available in
either four-door sedan or striking four-door full convertible
configurations. The 300 received great praise for its exceptional
engineering and build quality and was a favorite of celebrities and
heads of state alike, including Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, whose
affinity for the sedan earned its eponymous nickname. Shortly after
the big sedan and convertible debuted, Mercedes unveiled a sporting
version, the 300S - the "S" denoting it asSuper. This new variant
bridged the gap between the four-door 300 and the much anticipated
300SL sports car. The 300S chassis was shortened by 25 centimeters
and was available as an elegant closed coupe, a beautiful
open-topped cabriolet, or a disappearing-top roadster. S
specification cars featured an uprated 3.0-liter inline-six. A trio
of Solex carburetors and a boosted compression ratio helped the big
six produce a healthy 150 horsepower, up from the standard car's
115. The engine is backed by a smooth and reliable four-speed
manual with a delightfully slick column shift. The suspension is
independent in front with a swing axle arrangement in the rear,
sprung with coils. While tuned for comfort, the 300S is still a
respectable handler for a car of its size while also remaining
impressively poised at speed. As Mercedes-Benz's top offering, the
cabin was, of course, luxuriously trimmed in leather, wood, and
wool. Jewel-like chrome trim and switchgear grace the elegant
dashboard and make the 300S feel like an extraordinary place to be.
All 300s featured powerful vacuum brakes as standard, along with
other luxuries such as windscreen washers and reclining seats.
Exclusivity was assured as only 560 examples of the 300S were
hand-built between 1952 and 1958. That exclusivity also came with a
price: A whopping $12,680 in 1953. Notable 300S owners included
Cary Grant, Gary Cooper, and The Aga Khan, who all could easily
afford the cost of entry into the exclusive club. This
exceptional300S dates from 1953 and is one of only 203 Cabriolet As
constructed. It is a numbers-matching example confirmed by
Daimler-Benz build records and is very well-documented, with just
three owners from new. The first owner cherished it for 26 years,
from 1953 through 1979. It was then passed on to the second owner,
who clearly also had a great love for it and cared for it
exceptionally well. They subsequently treated it to a
no-expense-spared restoration by respected marque expert Don Mertz,
completed in 2010. Restoration specialists generally agree that the
300S is one of the costliest of all post-war cars to restore due to
its complexity and extensive chrome detailing. The previous owner
indeed spent a vast sum to fulfill his dream, and the results are,
without a doubt, magnificent. The medium red color is superbly
suited to the graceful and curvaceous body lines, lending a subtle
sporting character. The fit and finish are truly outstanding, and
every piece of the brightwork is finished to perfection.
Color-matched wheels and center caps round out the superb
presentation. In true flagship fashion, the 300S was built to order
and trimmed with only the finest materials at Mercedes-Benz's
Sindelfingen works. The restoration has faithfully reproduced the
handcrafted feel. Leather covers nearly every soft surface in the
cabin, with luxurious wool carpeting covering the floors. The dash,
windscreen surround, and door caps are covered in exquisitely
finished burl wood trim. Switchgear, instrumentation, and the
original in-dash radio have also been restored to the highest
standards and display a feeling of unparalleled quality. A proper
German canvas cabriolet top has been hand-fitted, featuring the
signature landau irons and a full headlining. Certificate of
authenticity, extensive documentation of its ownership and
restoration, a full complement of gorgeous fitted luggage, original
handbooks, original tool roll, dual spare wheels, and original jack
will all be included in the sale. Under the hood, the
numbers-matching, triple carb engine is meticulously detailed with
correct markings, decals, and finishes throughout the engine bay.
Performance is on par with the looks, making this a magnificent
driving machine. The level of excellence continues underneath the
car with correct details, finishes, and hardware used throughout
the chassis. It has been well-sorted and, in true Mercedes-Benz
fashion, will return plenty of miles of worry-free motoring. Since
the restoration was completed in 2010, this fine machine has been
honored with several first-place awards from many prestigious
concours events. It remains exceptional and would be a welcome
entry into nearly any prestigious concours or driving event in
North America or Europe. Offers welcome and trades considered For
additional details please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6840-1953-mercedes-benz-300s-cabriolet/
