1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet
- Engine
- 3.0L inline-six, triple Solex carburettors, raised compression, 150 bhp
- Colour
- 'Graphitgrau' (dark graphite grey)
The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet (chassis 18801055000019) is one of only 203 cabriolet examples of the 300S built between 1951 and 1958, making it considerably rarer than the contemporary 300SL. Delivered new to New York in July 1955 in Graphitgrau over red leather, it spent its early decades in the United States before returning to Europe in 2002, where it resided in the Mercedes-Benz France collection for fifteen years. A significant subsequent refurbishment brought an older American restoration to a higher standard.
Ownership
- 2022-05-13Auction saleEstimate €470,000 – €530,000
- 1955-07-01 →Factory deliveryFirst US owner (New York delivery)partial documentation
Car was delivered new to New York and first registered in July 1955, spending its early years in the United States.
- 2002 → 2017Acquisition unknownMercedes-Benz France collectionpartial documentation
Vehicle returned to Europe in 2002 and was held as part of the official Mercedes-Benz France collection for approximately fifteen years.
- 2017 →Private saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Upon acquisition, the owner invested roughly €100,000 to bring an earlier American restoration up to a higher standard.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2017Restoration
Following acquisition in 2017, the new owner invested around €100,000 to elevate the quality of the prior American restoration; interior was retrimmed in grey leather replacing the original red.
Work also included retention of original Bosch long-range spot lamps and fitment of a period-style Becker Brescia radio and matching luggage set.
- —Restoration
A restoration was carried out during the car's time in the United States, described as an 'older American restoration'; specifics of scope and date are not recorded.
This earlier work predates the 2017 purchase and is referenced only in the context of subsequent improvement.
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