The company’s flagship in the 1950s was the 300 S, a luxurious Grand Tourer echoing the pre-war 540 K but both lighter and faster. The 300 debuted at the 1951 Paris Salon as Mercedes-Benz’s first post-WWII prestige car. The range included a six-light, four-door saloon, a cabriolet, and three two-door variants on a shorter wheelbase.
Unlike most 1950s luxury cars, the 300 featured a separate chassis and all-independent suspension. Its 3.0-liter, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine produced 115bhp, enabling the saloon to reach 100mph despite its weight of 1,780kg. The 300 could comfortably cruise near its maximum speed while transporting six passengers, setting it apart from contemporaries.
The 300 S, priced at $12,500, was over double the cost of the most expensive Cadillac, appealing to a select clientele. Available in coupé, cabriolet, and roadster versions, the 300 S boasted a luxurious interior with Carpathian burr elm wood and a padded convertible top. With an extra 35bhp, its top speed was 109mph.
In 1955, the ultimate 300 Sc variant was introduced, featuring a 175bhp engine with Bosch fuel injection and improved suspension. With a top speed of 112mph, it could reach 62mph in around 13 seconds. Only 200 Sc models were produced: 98 coupés, 49 cabriolets, and 53 roadsters.
Photos by Darin Schnabel courtesy of RM Sotheby’s
