1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Cabriolet

188.013.6500145roadGermany

Engine: 3.0L inline-six OHC with Bosch mechanical direct fuel injection, 175 bhp, 182 lb-ft torque
Colour: Black (DB 114)

The Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc cabriolet (chassis 188.013.6500145) is among the rarest postwar production cars from Stuttgart, one of only 49 cabriolets built on the W188 chassis before production closed in 1958. Powered by the fuel-injected M188 II inline-six derived from the 300 SL programme, it represents the technical apex of the 300 series. This example spent an extended period with two successive owners on the Pacific Coast of the United States before undergoing a thorough bare-metal restoration in California.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Estimate US$1,000,000 – US$1,300,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
Date unknown
First Pacific Coast resident
partial documentation
One of two long-term owners based on the Pacific Coast prior to the current owner; no further details given.
Date unknown
Second Pacific Coast resident
partial documentation
Second of two consecutive long-term Pacific Coast owners in the car's history before it changed hands to the current owner.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Current vendor
partial documentation
Acquired the car in California following the two prior Pacific Coast ownerships and commissioned a full restoration by California-based specialists.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
California-based restoration specialists
Full bare-metal restoration carried out by California-based specialists. Bodywork panels were removed and stripped to bare metal before paint was applied in six coats of Black (DB 114) and then sanded and buffed. Exterior and most interior brightwork received triple chrome plating, with original components such as rims, hubcaps, radiator shell, door handles, and lock cylinders re-chromed consistently. Certain components were replaced with new-old-stock items including the rear badge and Mercedes stars.
Work was matched to the original factory build sheet.
—Bodywork
California-based restoration specialists
Complete new Red (1079) leather interior hand-stitched to a precise fit, along with a new hood pad and headliner. Steering wheel, ashtray, and various accessories were also refurbished; original braided leather roof handles retained.
Carried out as part of the same overall restoration programme.
—Engine rebuild
California-based restoration specialists
Engine fully disassembled, inspected, and serviced. The wiring harness was also attended to, restoring all electrical systems to proper function. Horns and sealed-beam headlamps were dismantled and returned to working order.
Carried out as part of the same overall restoration programme.

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