Classic 1950's Mercedes-Benz Type 300

[SDNR]

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.

 

[Deutsch]

they should make a W221 drop top.

 

[450SEL6.9]

Very informative post, Rob. There's a lot of information in there that I did not previously know. How do you think the Type 300 compares to the 600 W100 as Mercedes-Benz flagship vehicle? The 600 did not have a cheaper mass-production version, but the Type 300 Adenauers were coachbuilt.

 

[SDNR]

How do you think the Type 300 compares to the 600 W100 as Mercedes-Benz flagship vehicle? The 600 did not have a cheaper mass-production version, but the Type 300 Adenauers were coachbuilt.

Hello Ray! ......nice to talk with you again.

In my previous post I called the 300 Adenauer the best car in the world, however, if I really was to be objective about it, I think the best cars of the time were more likely to be Cadillac or Bentley.

1954 Cadillac Eldorado

1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK


Mercedes was essentially still recovering from WW2 - there is no doubt about it though, the 300S/300SC is a spectacular car.

The 600 (W100) was indisputably the finest car in the world at the time of it's debut - it might not have been a traditional coachbuilt car like the 300's or Rolls-Royce Phantom V, but it was still built [as you know Ray] to the highest standards possible and was technically superior (and far more sophisticated) than any other car in the world at the time.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 600

 

[donau]

Thanks for the great post Robert! Familiar looking cars, amongst the finest in the world. The 170Va also had a horn like these cars, namely the metal circle in the steering wheel....

 

[450SEL6.9]

It's likewise nice to talk with you again, Rob.

Personally, I put the 600 W100 above the Type 300. The fact that the Type 300 had a cheaper Ponton version for mass production is somewhat of a continuing disappointment for me. There were no 'cheaper' 600s. The 600, as you of course know, had Pullman and Landaulet versions in addition to the sedan, but all the variations were ultra-exclusive. There was no mass production edition 600. Also, the Type 300 looks too much like a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I and II from some angles. However, this resemblance is probably due to that era's coachbuilding styles and tastes.

 

[SDNR]

It's likewise nice to talk with you again, Rob.

Personally, I put the 600 W100 above the Type 300. The fact that the Type 300 had a cheaper Ponton version for mass production is somewhat of a continuing disappointment for me. There were no 'cheaper' 600s. The 600, as you of course know, had Pullman and Landaulet versions in addition to the sedan, but all the variations were ultra-exclusive. There was no mass production edition 600. Also, the Type 300 looks too much like a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I and II from some angles. However, this resemblance is probably due to that era's coachbuilding styles and tastes.

450SEL 6.9, maybe I have caused some confusion with my first post.

There was no [cheaper] Ponton version of the Type 300 vehicles. The Pontons were completely different models.

Ponton models included.
180
http://www.mercedes-ponton.de/images/180 blau.jpg

190SL


220SE


I tried to find out precisely why they are called Pontons -- I found this interesting website -- it explains very well in the FAQ section; there is also a section on the Type 300 Adenauer.

Ponton website
http://www.mbzponton.org/

On the Type 300.
http://www.mbzponton.org/valueadded/other/adenauer.htm

I hope this is interesting info for you.

 

[450SEL6.9]

450SEL 6.9, maybe I have caused some confusion with my first post.

There was no [cheaper] Ponton version of the Type 300 vehicles. The Pontons were completely different models.

Thanks, Rob. There was no confusion with your first post. It was simply a case of me seeing what I wanted to see. I had always known the Type 300 as the 300 Ponton. I don't know how I learned that name, but it was likely from an inaccurate Mercedes-Benz page somewhere on the internet. I had also never verified the actual 300 Ponton name since production of the 300 models ended in the early-1960s. I've always been more interested in the early-1970s to mid-1980s Mercedes-Benz cars.

While on the subject on 1970s-1980s cars, I tried to acquire a W123 240D. It had incredibly low mileage and I nearly bought it for $9,000 Cdn. The owner wasn't sure if he wanted to hang onto it or sell/give it to his son. I feel bad for the gentleman because he bought the car at the height of his business success. He has since lost the business so I imagine the car to be one of the last things he has to remind him of what used to be. It's another sad story of taxes crippling honest companies.. I hope he doesn't need the money from the sale of the car to pay bills and expenses..

 

[SDNR]

I've always been more interested in the early-1970s to mid-1980s Mercedes-Benz cars.

Yes me too Ray -- although I have always loved the 300S/300SC.

While on the subject on 1970s-1980s cars, I tried to acquire a W123 240D. It had incredibly low mileage and I nearly bought it for $9,000 Cdn. The owner wasn't sure if he wanted to hang onto it or sell/give it to his son. I feel bad for the gentleman because he bought the car at the height of his business success. He has since lost the business so I imagine the car to be one of the last things he has to remind him of what used to be. It's another sad story of taxes crippling honest companies.. I hope he doesn't need the money from the sale of the car to pay bills and expenses..

That sounds like a great car Ray. It is sad when people loose all they have have worked so hard for -- life can be pretty tough at times, I guess these sorts of things could be viewed as a test of a persons true character.

 

[450SEL6.9]

It is sad when people loose all they have have worked so hard for -- life can be pretty tough at times, I guess these sorts of things could be viewed as a test of a persons true character.

I can only imagine what that's like. I sold some stock options last week and the price doubled from then! I made a good profit yet I'm still upset at myself. I wonder how people who lose their life's work cope with the shock of it all.

The stock market is taking another dive today. I think it's very bad time to invest right now. The U.S. government is loathed internationally and losing support domestically as well. Oil prices are high, interest rates are rising and may keep rising. I think the developed countries have been living beyond their means for too long. A lot of my former university classmates laugh at me when I say this, but the West's obsession with celebrity will have dire socioeconomic consequences. We may be seeing some of that already.

 

[SDNR]

This 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300Sc Coupe is for sale at Symbolic Motors in California.

 

[cawimmer430]

Awesome thread Roberto. The Adenauer is so stately, I love it. In black for me please.

 

[SDNR]

Personally, I put the 600 W100 above the Type 300.

I think you are correct Ray ...although the 300 was the top Mercedes and above the Ponton S class (W180/W128), it was not the equivalent of the W100 -- I think the top of the line S class (W112) 300SE introduced in 1961 (the long wheelbase 300SEL was introduced in 1963) was probably closer to the type 300 Adenauer in terms of prestige.

...I am still trying to get to grips with Mercedes model history ...it is very complicated and at times quite confusing.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

Hello Ray! ......nice to talk with you again.

In my previous post I called the 300 Adenauer the best car in the world, however, if I really was to be objective about it, I think the best cars of the time were more likely to be Cadillac or Bentley.

1954 Cadillac Eldorado

1954 BENTLEY R-TYPE CONTINENTAL FASTBACK

Its debatable, but I just love the 300 S/Sc/Adenauer.

The 600 (W100) was indisputably the finest car in the world at the time of it's debut - it might not have been a traditional coachbuilt car like the 300's or Rolls-Royce Phantom V, but it was still built [as you know Ray] to the highest standards possible and was technically superior (and far more sophisticated) than any other car in the world at the time.

1963 Mercedes-Benz 600

Yes the 600 was the finest in the world, for the heads of states, but techically speaking it was still a barbarian in many ways compared to the Citroen DS.
And ofcourse, there was also a very fine Rover P6, also tecnicaly superior in many ways, but that in another class.
600 was in a class of its own, untouchable even by MB newer cars.


Sorry being so late on this tread.