Curb Zone - View Single Post - Classic 1950's Mercedes-Benz Type 300

Hypersonic · 05-14-2006, 12:32 AM

Classic Mercedes-Benz Type 300.

Mercedes-Benz 300SC Coupé

1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet.

These are really special Mercedes models built from 1951-1962.

The Type 300 (W186) was introduced at the Frankfurt Automobile Show in April 1951 and was the first Post-War Mercedes that could, once again, claim to be called "the best car in the world". Available as a sedan or four-door cabriolet, it was powered by a new single overhead camshaft 2,996 cc inline six-cylinder engine. Power brakes were introduced in 1954 and the new model was called the 300b and in 1955 a larger rear window was added with the designation 300c. The W186 was replaced by the W189 in 1957 and was designated 300d. Even though it looks very similar to it's predecessor, the 300d was completley re-designed, the most obvious difference being it's rear styling; it also had no B pillar.

The W186/189 models are often referred to as "Adenauer" Mercedes' -- named after the German chancellor at the time, Dr. Konrad Adenauer who of course used them as his official transport, including Pullman and Landaulet versions.

The "Adenauer" models are not to be confused with the cheaper "Ponton" Mercedes models of the same period. The "Ponton" models, with their "jelly-mold" styling, had very advanced [for the time] unit-body construction and were essentially conceived for [relatively] large-scale production; the top-of-the-line 300s' on the other hand, still had a separate chassis and body and were all carefully made by hand in the traditional manner and could be customized to individual requirements.

1952 300 (W186)

Chancellor Conrad Adenauer

The pillarless 300d (W189) model was introduced in 1957 and replaced the 300c (W186)

300d Cabriolet.

The Pope's 300d Landaulet

W188: Mercedes' pièce de résistance.

Without doubt, the 300S (W188) is one of the greatest cars Mercedes has ever built. Introduced in 1952 as a two-door Coupé or Roadster, it was the Ultimate Mercedes-Benz at the time, was built in very limited numbers, and was incredibly expensive. In 1955 the model was upgraded with fuel injection, independent rear suspension and some minor cosmetic changes, it was re-designated 300SC

The 300SC has the honour of being the last true coachbuilt Mercedes-Benz coupé; it was hand-made with the same attention to detail as the great 540K's of the 1930's.

Only 53 300SC Roadsters were made.

05-14-2006, 12:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hypersonic Connoisseur Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 5,526 Thanks: 1,028 Thanked 852 Times in 524 Posts	Classic 1950's Mercedes-Benz Type 300 Classic Mercedes-Benz Type 300. Mercedes-Benz 300SC Coupé 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet. These are really special Mercedes models built from 1951-1962. The Type 300 (W186) was introduced at the Frankfurt Automobile Show in April 1951 and was the first Post-War Mercedes that could, once again, claim to be called "the best car in the world". Available as a sedan or four-door cabriolet, it was powered by a new single overhead camshaft 2,996 cc inline six-cylinder engine. Power brakes were introduced in 1954 and the new model was called the 300b and in 1955 a larger rear window was added with the designation 300c. The W186 was replaced by the W189 in 1957 and was designated 300d. Even though it looks very similar to it's predecessor, the 300d was completley re-designed, the most obvious difference being it's rear styling; it also had no B pillar. The W186/189 models are often referred to as "Adenauer" Mercedes' -- named after the German chancellor at the time, Dr. Konrad Adenauer who of course used them as his official transport, including Pullman and Landaulet versions. The "Adenauer" models are not to be confused with the cheaper "Ponton" Mercedes models of the same period. The "Ponton" models, with their "jelly-mold" styling, had very advanced [for the time] unit-body construction and were essentially conceived for [relatively] large-scale production; the top-of-the-line 300s' on the other hand, still had a separate chassis and body and were all carefully made by hand in the traditional manner and could be customized to individual requirements. 1952 300 (W186) Chancellor Conrad Adenauer The pillarless 300d (W189) model was introduced in 1957 and replaced the 300c (W186) 300d Cabriolet. The Pope's 300d Landaulet W188: Mercedes' pièce de résistance. Without doubt, the 300S (W188) is one of the greatest cars Mercedes has ever built. Introduced in 1952 as a two-door Coupé or Roadster, it was the Ultimate Mercedes-Benz at the time, was built in very limited numbers, and was incredibly expensive. In 1955 the model was upgraded with fuel injection, independent rear suspension and some minor cosmetic changes, it was re-designated 300SC The 300SC has the honour of being the last true coachbuilt Mercedes-Benz coupé; it was hand-made with the same attention to detail as the great 540K's of the 1930's. Only 53 300SC Roadsters were made. Last edited by Hypersonic; 07-25-2006 at 09:42 AM.