Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster 1953 for sale

The Type 300 S (W 188 I) was presented at the Paris Motor Show in October 1951. The model is based on the Mercedes Benz 300 (W 186), commonly referred to as "Adenauer", named after the first German chancellor. The wheelbase of the two-door W 188 is 150 mm shorter than that of the sedan, while the powertrain remained virtually unchanged. The engine power was 150 hp thanks to the use of three carburetors. The 300 S, offered as a Coupé, Cabriolet A, and Roadster, was positioned as a particularly representative car with a sporty touch for the highest demands of handling and comfort. According to the judgment of the international specialized press, the new 300 S model was praised as the "car of the world elite" and as a "benchmark for what is now achievable in the automotive industry." The 300 S or 300 Sc model was considered the pinnacle of luxury car construction, which was also reflected in the high purchase price (about 50% more than the sedan). All variants ranked in terms of exclusivity, craftsmanship, comfort, and value alongside the then Rolls Royce and Bentley. During the production period of the 300 S, only 760 units (Roadster, Coupé, and Cabriolet) left the factory. From the sporty Roadster with the flat folding roof, 141 vehicles were produced. Therefore, a W 188 is rarer than the legendary 300 SL "Gullwing", which was produced 1,400 times. In 1958, production of the W 188 ended, and with it the era of bodies mounted on a separate chassis with powertrain. Modern vehicle concepts then featured self-supporting bodies (for example, the Mercedes Ponton models).