 1957 Mercedes-Benz Type 300Sc convertible |
The 1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 300 was the first completely new offering from Daimler-Benz following World War II, with the emphasis mainly on engineering. A big car for big occasions, the 300 featured new running gear from end to end, including an overhead-cam 3.0-liter inline six that would later gain fame in the 300SL racing and road-going sports cars.
The chassis was an oval-tube
affair with independent suspension all around. Rear ride height was
electrically adjustable from inside by means of auxiliary torsion bars. The 300
was massive for a European car, with "transition" styling that marked
Mercedes-Benz's move to more modern full-width envelope body lines.
Though
it remained in production for a decade, in its last years it was mostly an
indulgence for the firm. The design went through four distinct phases. More
horsepower, optional automatic transmission, and a higher final drive were
offered beginning with the 300c in 1955. The 300d introduced in 1957 was more
powerful still.
The Type 300s were offered as pillared and pillarless four-door
sedans plus a limousine model, all with upright, traditional lines featuring a
tall Mercedes grille, semi-integrated front fenders, and a short, rounded rump.
While
the Type 300 was ponderous to drive, it was meticulously engineered and beautifully
finished.
Pluses
of the 1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 300:
- Solid separate chassis
- Thorough, somewhat advanced engineering for the time
- "Gothic" styling for those who like it
- Spaciousness
- Well-equipped
- A Milestone car
Minuses
of the 1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 300:
- Bulky and tedious in tight spots
- Parts impossible to find
- Not cheap to restore or maintain
- If you bought it at high market, you lost!
Production
of the 1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 300:
- 300/300b: 6,214 (1951-1955)
- 300c: 1,432 (1955-1957)
- 300d:
3,077 (1957-1962)
Specifications
of the 1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 300:
Wheelbase,
inches: 120.0 (limo: 124.0)
Length,
inches: 195.0 (limo: 204.0)
Weight,
pounds: 3,860-4,400
Price,
new: NA
Engines
for the 1951-1962 Mercedes-Benz Type 300:Type Size Horsepower Years ohc
I-6 2,996
cc (183 cid) 115/125/160 1951-1962
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