1954 Mercedes-Benz (W186) 300 Adenauer

Daimler-Benz AG emerged from the smoking rubble of World War II in somewhat precarious health, with production plants that had been pretty comprehensively levelled by Allied bombing. Far from being a broken nation, the resilience of the workforce was remarkable and Mercedes-Benz resumed car production in 1946, albeit with the pre-war 170V, a modest middle-class car that had been their best-seller in the 1930s. However, in less than six years, the company was sufficiently confident to return to the luxury market when the Mercedes 300 was introduced at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show and for the duration of the 50s, Mercedes-Benz prestige line-up was based on the 300 range, at the heart of which was essentially the same superb 2996cc overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine found in the legendary 300SL 'Gullwing'.

The 300 Saloon was aimed squarely at Captains of Industry and Heads of State - indeed, the model was nicknamed 'Adenauer' 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 during his tenure. Inside, the 300 was beautifully executed in polished wood, with deep bucket seats trimmed in either cloth or leather and a division was available as an option for those who preferred to be chauffeur driven. Improvements came with the 300B of 1954 in the form of twin Solex carburettors, along with servo-assisted brakes and minor styling changes while the 300C model of September 1955 saw the option of a Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic for the American market.

Offered here is a truly magnificent and rather rare right-hand drive Mercedes-Benz (W186) 300 ‘Adenauer’ finished in glorious green with grey leather upholstery. First registered in October 1954, today this spectacular saloon indicates 45,563 miles at the time of cataloguing which, although cannot be officially verified, is understood to be correct. Consigned from over 30 years in a private Mercedes-Benz collection and selected for its superb condition, the 300 has benefitted from correct dry storage over the years, has been enjoyed occasionally and is well maintained. The interior is well-preserved and the original grey leather upholstery, wooden door caps, veneers, Bakelite and chrome all present with a patina commensurate with the car’s age. Accompanying the car is a history file including the old registration documents, MOTs and related paperwork. We are informed the classic Mercedes-Benz will be presented to auction fully serviced and checked over ready for any inspection.

This is an important car. The moment it rolled off the ship in 1954 marked the beginning of the end of many years of hostility and the start of nearly 70 years of a growing relationship between two great industrial nations. It's difficult to look out of your window now and not see a sleek example of German style and advanced Teutonic automotive engineering and this dramatic Mercedes 300, with its elegant looks and modern technology, was one of the handful of cars that took that first step.