Glenister 1936
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Roadster rear
The Mercedes-Benz Type 300 (chassis codes W186, W188, and W189) were the company's largest and most-prestigious models throughout the 1950s. Analogous to today's S-Class, the Type 300 cars were elegant, powerful, exclusive, and expensive. The 300, 300b, 300c, and 300d touring cars were often referred to as Adenauers after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. In office from 1949 to 1963, he employed six custom convertible, hardtop, and landaulet versions of this model during his tenure.
The "W186" Type 300, introduced in November 1951, was essentially a pre-war chassis with a more-modern body. A modern 3 L (2996 cc/182 in³) straight-6 engine developing 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) was used, however, coupled exclusively to a manual 4-speed gearbox. The Type 300 was available as a sedan or cabriolet (officially called Cabriolet D), both with four doors and seating for six. One innovative feature was a rear load-levelling suspension, operated by a switch on the dashboard.
The 300 had a separate X-frame, made of ovoid steel tubes, a double wishbone, coil spring axle up front and Mercedes` typical rear swing axle with double coil springs; also drum brakes all around and a worm-and-sector steering, that was replaced in 1952 by a recirculating ball unit.
The Type 300 featured many luxury features. Options like Becker radio, VHF mobile telephone, and dictation machine were geared to the business man and politician. Among the custom features in Chancellor Adenauer's "parade cars" were writing desks, sirens, curtains, dividing partitions, sunroofs, and half-roof landaulet configurations.
6,214 saloon models and 591 Cabriolet Ds were produced until September, 1955 (including the 300b).
March 1954 saw power brakes introduced via a remote vacuum tank with the Type 300b. Vent windows were also introduced for the front windows. Power of the engine was upped to 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) via different Solex carburetters and a higher compression ratio (7.5:1 instead of 6.4:1).
A larger rear window was added in September, 1955 on the Type 300c. An automatic transmission was also introduced for the first time. This car was priced at $10,864 in the United States (DM 22,000 on the home market), with the convertible commanding a pricy $14,231 (DM 24,700). The c also featured a swing axle rear independent suspension.
A special Innenlenker model (also called the Type 300 Lang) limousine model rode on a 20 cm (7.9 in) longer wheelbase and became available from July, 1956 (price: DM 25,000).
While the Cabriolet D was cancelled after June, 1956 (51 built), the saloon remained in production until July, 1957 and was built in 1,432 units.
The "W188" Type 300 S was Mercedes-Benz's top-end vehicle on its introduction at the Paris Salon in October 1951. The Type 300 S came as a 2+2 coupe, cabriolet (with landau bars) (officially Cabriolet A), or roadster. Although mechanically similar to the contemporary W186, the largely hand-built W188 was marketed as one of the top luxury cars in the world.
7.8:1 compression and triple Solex carburettors raised engine output to 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) at 5000 rpm.
At DM 34,500 for all versions ($ 3,925 in the USA, these cars were significantly more expensive then the regular W186 cars.
From July, 1952 to August, 1955, a total of 216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As and 141 Roadsters were produced.
1955 saw the substitution of Mercedes-Benz's "low-pivot" independent suspension in the rear, and the addition of fuel injection in the Type 300 Sc whose inline-six now delivered 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 5400 rpm. Visually, a pair of chrome strips on either side of the hood denotes this "Sc" model.
Prices rose to DM 36,500 and 98 Coupés, 49 Cabriolet As and 53 Roadsters were built until April 1958.
1957 Mercedes-Benz 300 SC Roadster rear
The Mercedes-Benz Type 300 (chassis codes W186, W188, and W189) were the company's largest and most-prestigious models throughout the 1950s. Analogous to today's S-Class, the Type 300 cars were elegant, powerful, exclusive, and expensive. The 300, 300b, 300c, and 300d touring cars were often referred to as Adenauers after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. In office from 1949 to 1963, he employed six custom convertible, hardtop, and landaulet versions of this model during his tenure.
The "W186" Type 300, introduced in November 1951, was essentially a pre-war chassis with a more-modern body. A modern 3 L (2996 cc/182 in³) straight-6 engine developing 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) was used, however, coupled exclusively to a manual 4-speed gearbox. The Type 300 was available as a sedan or cabriolet (officially called Cabriolet D), both with four doors and seating for six. One innovative feature was a rear load-levelling suspension, operated by a switch on the dashboard.
The 300 had a separate X-frame, made of ovoid steel tubes, a double wishbone, coil spring axle up front and Mercedes` typical rear swing axle with double coil springs; also drum brakes all around and a worm-and-sector steering, that was replaced in 1952 by a recirculating ball unit.
The Type 300 featured many luxury features. Options like Becker radio, VHF mobile telephone, and dictation machine were geared to the business man and politician. Among the custom features in Chancellor Adenauer's "parade cars" were writing desks, sirens, curtains, dividing partitions, sunroofs, and half-roof landaulet configurations.
6,214 saloon models and 591 Cabriolet Ds were produced until September, 1955 (including the 300b).
March 1954 saw power brakes introduced via a remote vacuum tank with the Type 300b. Vent windows were also introduced for the front windows. Power of the engine was upped to 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) via different Solex carburetters and a higher compression ratio (7.5:1 instead of 6.4:1).
A larger rear window was added in September, 1955 on the Type 300c. An automatic transmission was also introduced for the first time. This car was priced at $10,864 in the United States (DM 22,000 on the home market), with the convertible commanding a pricy $14,231 (DM 24,700). The c also featured a swing axle rear independent suspension.
A special Innenlenker model (also called the Type 300 Lang) limousine model rode on a 20 cm (7.9 in) longer wheelbase and became available from July, 1956 (price: DM 25,000).
While the Cabriolet D was cancelled after June, 1956 (51 built), the saloon remained in production until July, 1957 and was built in 1,432 units.
The "W188" Type 300 S was Mercedes-Benz's top-end vehicle on its introduction at the Paris Salon in October 1951. The Type 300 S came as a 2+2 coupe, cabriolet (with landau bars) (officially Cabriolet A), or roadster. Although mechanically similar to the contemporary W186, the largely hand-built W188 was marketed as one of the top luxury cars in the world.
7.8:1 compression and triple Solex carburettors raised engine output to 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) at 5000 rpm.
At DM 34,500 for all versions ($ 3,925 in the USA, these cars were significantly more expensive then the regular W186 cars.
From July, 1952 to August, 1955, a total of 216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As and 141 Roadsters were produced.
1955 saw the substitution of Mercedes-Benz's "low-pivot" independent suspension in the rear, and the addition of fuel injection in the Type 300 Sc whose inline-six now delivered 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 5400 rpm. Visually, a pair of chrome strips on either side of the hood denotes this "Sc" model.
Prices rose to DM 36,500 and 98 Coupés, 49 Cabriolet As and 53 Roadsters were built until April 1958.