1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster
- Engine
- 3.0L inline six-cylinder OHC, triple Solex downdraft carburetors, 150 bhp
- Colour
- Mercedes-Benz silver
A 1953/1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Roadster, one of only 141 produced and reportedly the second example completed in 1954, delivered new to a West Coast distributor in California. Fitted with triple Solex carburettors and a rare Becker Nürburg radio, the car spent approximately two decades garaged in Chicago before the consignor acquired it, subsequently having the engine restored by Lyford Engineering and the bodywork refinished in period-correct Mercedes-Benz Silver. It has been regularly driven each summer since 1999.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$550,000 – US$650,000
- 1954-06-22 →Factory deliveryWest Coast distributor, Ventura, Californiapartial documentation
Vehicle was shipped from the factory and delivered to this California distributor on 22 June 1954 as a new model-year 1954 unit.
- Date unknownUnidentified Chicago-area ownernone documentation
The car spent approximately two decades stored in a garage in Chicago; it had been repainted white and fitted with a replacement hood during or following this period.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Owner commissioned an engine rebuild at Lyford Engineering in Plymouth, Michigan, and had the bodywork repainted to match the factory silver finish; the car has been regularly driven each summer since 1999.
Competition
- —Omaha show appearance
Car was exhibited at a show in Omaha, Nebraska, by the current owner; no specific date or result recorded.
- —Des Moines fundraising show
Car was shown at one or more charity fundraising events in Des Moines; no specific date or result recorded.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Bodywork
The car was repainted white and fitted with a replacement soft top at some point prior to the consignor's acquisition.
Timing unknown; work carried out during or after the Chicago storage period.
- —Engine rebuildLyford Engineering
Following purchase by the consignor, the engine was fully restored by a specialist engineering firm.
Located in Plymouth, Michigan.
- —Bodywork
Outer body panels were removed and the body disassembled as extensively as practical so that the exterior could be refinished in the correct Mercedes-Benz Silver, replicating the original factory finish method.
Carried out during the consignor's ownership; original interior seats and chrome trim were retained.
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