For Sale: 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300D in Saint Louis, Missouri

At the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the all-new W186 300, the undisputed flagship of the Mercedes-Benz fleet. To some, the 300 was seen as a spiritual successor to the pre-war 540K, reimagined for postwar-era volume production. In its initial form, the 300 was a stately sedan with restrained yet elegant styling. It rode on robust X-frame chassis with independent front suspension, a swing-axle rear end, and powerful drum brakes. Despite a steep asking price of DM19,900 ($4,720) or DM17,600 without tires (the post-war rubber shortage left buyers to fend for tires!), the order book filled quickly, and even German customers were forced to join a waiting list. But when deliveries came, it was surely worth the wait. The 300 became a symbol of success for world leaders, Hollywood stars, and captains of industry. German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer maintained a fleet several 300s during his 1949-1963 tenure, and such was his association with these elegant automobiles that they soon earned the nickname "Adenauer."
Mercedes-Benz refined the Adenauer through four distinct versions, the original W186 300, 300b, 300c and finally, the newly designated W189 300d which arrived in 1957. The 300d retained the same basic chassis architecture, but was longer, and introduced revised styling. It was powered by the familiar 3-liter OHC inline-six, which gained the Bosch mechanical fuel injection system pioneered on the 300SL sports car. The 180-horsepower Einspritzmotor was backed by a four-speed manual or Borg-Warner automatic gearbox, and equipped with a massive cooling system with thermostatically controlled oiling so it could sustain long periods of motorway cruising or stop and go urban traffic with equal poise.
Such complexity and extensive hand-finishing translated to a high cost of entry, and production slowed to a trickle by the early 1960s. For the W189, Mercedes produced a total of 3,077 sedans, but a mere 65 Cabriolet Ds, assuring the sort of exclusivity its target clientele expected. It is reported that just a single Cabriolet D was produced in the 1962 calendar year, the final year before the W100 600 Sedan and Pullman replaced it.
Offered from long-term ownership by the renowned collector General William Lyon, this 1962 300d Cabriolet D is a handsome, well-preserved example of the flagship 'Adenauer.' Reportedly first registered by the family in 1968, it has one of the longest tenures in the Lyon Family Collection. General Lyon understood this to be the sole 1962-built car, and therefore the final Cabriolet D produced. Accompanying documentation obtained from Mercedes-Benz Classic Center archives confirm this as a genuine factory Cabriolet D, delivered new in Hellbeige (DB441) over red leather (1079) and brown Sonnedeck canvas top. A copy of a California title notes this car was first registered in 1962, however, neither the data card nor Wagenkarte are stamped with the precise production date. The family reports the car was cosmetically restored in the 1970s, and it has been lovingly maintained by them in the years since.
Presented here in its original color scheme, the elegant Adenauer cabriolet has been maintained with a pleasing and honest patina. It rides on factory chrome wheels fitted with color-keyed hubcaps and narrow band whitewall bias-ply tires. Chrome and bright work are in very good condition throughout. Both the Data Card and Wagenkarte confirm the car retains its original, numbers-matching fuel-injected engine, which is backed by a manual gearbox. The original Sindelfingen body number is also found stamped in various panels.
The luxurious interior is wonderfully preserved, with superb red leather and matching carpets displaying an inviting character. The extensive woodwork on the dash and door caps is in good condition, with some age-appropriate patina to the finish. Instruments and switchgear are in fine order, and it retains the correct original ivory colored steering wheel, Becker radio, and tool kit.
Following long-term display in the Lyon Family Collection, the 300d was serviced in preparation for sale, however some additional work may be necessary before embarking on the sort of long-distance touring for which these cars excel. During its nearly sixty years in the Lyon Family Collection, this grand and imposing Mercedes-Benz rubbed shoulders with some of the finest automobiles in the world, and considering it was one of the longest-tenured vehicles in the collection speaks volumes for its significance in motoring history.

Offers welcome and trades considered.