Mercedes-Benz 300 S W188 1954

1954 Mercedes 300S Coupé. Chassis number: 3500350. Registration number: 357YUA. One of just 216 examples produced. This was the pinnacle of post War Mercedes-Benz classic car manufacturing. The hand-built two-door 300 S (W188) was Mercedes-Benz's top-end vehicle on its introduction at the Paris Salon in October 1951.

It was available as a 2-seat roadster, 2+2 coupé, and cabriolet (with landau bars, officially Cabriolet A). Although mechanically similar to the contemporary 300 (W186), the additional craftsmanship, visual elegance, and 50% higher price tag elevated the W188 to the apex of its era's luxury cars.

The 300 S was fitted with a high-performance version of the W186's 3.0 L (2996 cc/182 in³) overhead cam, aluminum head M189 straight-6.

Designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use, the engine featured deep water jackets, an innovative diagonal head-to-block joint that allowed for oversized intake and exhaust valves, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, copper-lead bearings, and a hardened crankshaft. Triple Solex carburettors and 7.8:1 compression and raised maximum output to 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) at 5000 rpm.

From July 1952 to August 1955, a total of 216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As, and 141 Roadsters were produced. The car in question was ordered for the wife of Mr Grundig of Grundig Radio fame. It was ordered in the same colour of off white that we find it in today. To the interior is the original green leather in a beautiful patinated state of preservation.

The woodwork has been removed & refinished to a superb standard. The exterior has been repainted to a flawless mirror like finish at vast cost with close to £40k being spent upon the paint alone. After the Grundig ownership the car passed though two documented owners in the USA before being acquired by the current owner where it has resided in his collection of Mercedes Benz cars.

The car comes with a copious history file & photographic documentation of the repaint. Mechaically the car is absoilutely sound having covered a scant 49,398 Kilometers since new. It starts instantly & runs in uncanny silence. The car comes with a full tool kit, original sales brochure & also a set of as new fitted luggage.

The rear passenger seats also fold flat allowing for more suit cases to be carried behind the front seats. Unusually the car is fitted from new with a factory sun roof; one of 12 such examples so equipped.