1953 Mercedes Benz 300S Roadster

Details

Just arrived at Oldtimer Australia is this very rare and absolutely stunning 1953 Mercedes Benz 300S Cabriolet.

The Type W188 Mercedes Benz 300S was introduced at the 1951 Paris Motor Show to critical acclaim. Built as a coupe, roadster and cabriolet the 300S was the flagship of the Mercedes Benz range.

This car was mechanically similar to the Type W186 300 Series cars, however, these cars were all hand built and the striking yet elegant design coupled with the strong performance from the 3.0 litre six cylinder engine with triple Solex carburettors ensured the 300S was at the pinnacle of automotive design and luxury cars of the day.

During four years of production from 1952 to 1955 a total of 216 coupes, 141 roadsters and 203 cabriolets were produced, hence, the Mercedes Benz 300S series cars are very rare indeed. In period they were more expensive than the 300SL Gullwing Coupe and 300SL Roadster that succeeded it.

The factory data card confirms this particular car was delivered new in August 1953 through Morescalchi Mercedes Benz in Rome, Italy to the former King Faruk. Its original colour scheme was ‘medium green’ (DB229) with a ‘green gray’ leather interior (1081/107). The data card also confirms the car retains its original matching numbers engine.

We understand that this car was originally a factory built 300S Coupe (Type 188.011) that has been converted to a Cabriolet when it was restored many years ago.

The early history of the car is unknown, however, it found its way to Australia at some stage, most likely in the 1980’s or early 1990’s and it was restored here from the mid 1990’s through until 2000. The owner chose to finish the car in the stylish colour combination of anthracite grey with a red leather interior. The hard top is finished in a contrasting shade of grey which looks stunning. It has had very little (if any) use since it was restored and today the odometer reads 00009 km, the majority of which were driven by us!

Whilst the car was restored some seventeen years ago and stored it still presents very well today. The paint work is very good with the only blemish being some imperfections on the bonnet which are hard to see. The hard top has some paint blemishes and stone chips, more so than the actual car. All of the exterior trim and badges are in excellent condition. We suspect the chrome was probably not redone when the car was restored and today the bumpers, headlight bezels etc show minor pitting. Structurally the car is excellent. Inside the cabin the car presents exceptionally well, in fact as though it was restored yesterday. All of the leather and timberwork is in excellent condition.

The car has just been recommissioned and serviced by a classic Mercedes Benz specialist. The engine starts easily on the push of the starter button and it soon settles into a smooth idle. Out on the open road the car cruises effortlessly. The engine pulls strongly and the oil pressure is good. The car tracks straight and handles as it should and the gear change is smooth. The brakes have just been serviced and will require some miles to bed them in. That said the car pulls up with a firm push on the brake pedal.

The car is fitted with a soft top and it also has a matching hard top.

For the purist we understand that it is relatively easy to return the car back to a coupe by permanently refixing the hardtop.

In summary this car is a very nice example of an extremely rare and collectible Mercedes Benz. The car has an incredible presence and it would surely be welcomed at just about every classic car show anywhere in the world.

A unique opportunity.

 

 

 

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