1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupé
- Engine
- Fuel-injected inline six-cylinder
- Colour
- Metallic burgundy
A 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc coupe, one of only 98 such bodies built at the Sindelfingen coachworks, this export example was completed on 10 February 1956 and shipped to New York ten days later. Originally finished in Metallic Green with Cream leather, it features an unusual rear compartment with a single jump seat and space for golf clubs. Discovered in a Minnesota collection during the mid-1980s, it subsequently underwent a comprehensive five-year restoration beginning in 2007, emerging in Metallic Burgundy.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$485,000
- 1956-02-01 →Acquisition unknownUnknown early US owner(s), possibly based in Dayton, Ohiopartial documentation
Car was dispatched to New York shortly after completion; owner's manual contains a stamped reference to Dayton, Ohio, suggesting early US custody in that area.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownMinnesota beet farmerpartial documentation
Vehicle was found in this owner's collection during the mid-1980s by a Southern California restorer.
- Date unknownPrivate saleGary Galluppartial documentation
Acquired the car after its discovery in Minnesota; arranged for long-term storage with Robin Onsoien at Early Motors in Nipomo, California, with an agreement for future restoration work.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownRobin Onsoienpartial documentation
Proprietor of Early Motors in Nipomo, California; stored the vehicle for roughly two decades before undertaking a comprehensive five-year restoration beginning in 2007.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2007Restoration
A comprehensive five-year ground-up restoration was undertaken: bodywork fully disassembled, panels refinished in Metallic Burgundy and carefully reassembled. Leather interior retrimmed using Belgian-sourced hides, with new tan headliner and carpeting installed. All three wiring harnesses replaced. Chrome brightwork renewed throughout.
Multiple specialist subcontractors were engaged: Jack's Upholstery of Santa Maria handled interior trim; Christensen Plating of Vernon, California renewed the chrome; reassembly of the complex door and panel alignment was a central challenge of the project.
- 2007Engine rebuildLesco Engines
The original fuel-injected inline six-cylinder engine was fully rebuilt, with factory-correct replacement parts sourced from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California.
Lesco Engines is based in San Luis Obispo, California. Parts procurement from the official Mercedes-Benz Classic Center ensured period-correct specification.
- —MaintenanceEarly Motors
Vehicle kept in clean, dry storage for roughly two decades prior to restoration commencing.
Storage arrangement was made by owner Gary Gallup with Robin Onsoien, proprietor of Early Motors in Nipomo, California.
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