Mercedes-Benz Type 300

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mercedes-Benz 300/300 S
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
Parent company Daimler-Benz AG
Production W186: 1951-1957
W189: 1957−1962
W188: 1951−1958
12,190 built[1]
W186 Saloon: 7,646
W186 Cabr.D: 642
W189 Saloon: 3,077
W189 Cabr.D: 65
W188 Coupé: 314
W188 Cabr./Rdstr.: 446
Predecessor none
Successor Mercedes-Benz W100
Class luxury car
Body style(s) 4-door saloon
4-door cabriolet
2 door coupé
2-door Cabriolet
Layout FR layout
Platform Mercedes-Benz W186/188/189
Engine(s) Mercedes 2996 cc I-6, SOHC
Transmission(s) 4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Wheelbase W186: 3050 mm (120.1 in)
W189: 3150 mm (124 in)
W188: 2900 mm (114.2 in)
Length W186: 4950 mm (194.9 in)
W189: 5190 mm (204.3 in)
W188: 4700 mm (185 in)
Width W186: 1840 mm (72.4 in)
W189: 1860 mm (73.2 in)
W188: 1860 mm (73.2 in)
Height W186: 1640 mm (64.6 in)
W189: 1620 mm (63.8 in)
W188: 1510 mm (59.4 in)
Curb weight W186: 1780 kg (3924 lb)
W189: 1950 kg (4299 lb)
W188: 1760 kg (3880 lb)


The Mercedes-Benz Type 300 (chassis codes W186, W188, and W189) were the company's largest and most-prestigious models throughout the 1950s. Analogous to today's S-Class, the Type 300 cars were elegant, powerful, exclusive, and expensive. This series was also often called the Adenauer after Konrad Adenauer, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany at the time. Adenauer used six of these cars during his time as Chancellor.

The majority of the company's sales at this time were in the less-expensive Ponton series. Both the Type 300 and Ponton series were replaced by the "Heckflosse" cars of the early 1960s.

Contents

[edit] W186

[edit] 300 (W186 II)

The "W186" Type 300, introduced in November 1951, was essentially a pre-war chassis with a more-modern body. A modern 3 L (2996 cc/182 in³) straight-6 engine developing 115 PS (113 hp/85 kW) was used, however, coupled exclusively to a manual 4-speed gearbox. The Type 300 was available as a sedan or cabriolet (officially called Cabriolet D), both with four doors and seating for six. One innovative feature was a rear load-levelling suspension, operated by a switch on the dashboard.

The 300 had a separate X-frame, made of ovoid steel tubes, a double wishbone, coil spring axle up front and Mercedes` typical rear swing axle with double coil springs; also drum brakes all around and a worm-and-sector steering, that was replaced in 1952 by a recirculating ball unit.

The Type 300 featured many luxury features. Options like Becker radio, VHF mobile telephone, and dictation machine were geared to the business man or politician. Adenauer's cars had a writing desk, sirens, curtains, a dividing partition, and other such features.

6,214 saloon models and 591 Cabriolet Ds were produced until September, 1955 (including the 300b).

[edit] 300b (W186 III)

March 1954 saw power brakes introduced via a remote vacuum tank with the Type 300b. Vent windows were also introduced for the front windows. Power of the engine was upped to 125 PS (123 hp/92 kW) via different Solex carburetters and a higher compression ratio (7.5:1 instead of 6.4:1).

[edit] 300c (W186 IV)

A larger rear window was added in September, 1955 on the Type 300c. An automatic transmission was also introduced for the first time. This car was priced at $10,864 in the United States (DM 22,000 on the home market), with the convertible commanding a pricy $14,231 (DM 24,700). The c also featured a swing axle rear independent suspension.

A special Innenlenker model (also called the Type 300 Lang) limousine model rode on a 20 cm (7.9 in) longer wheelbase and became available from July, 1956 (price: DM 25,000).

While the Cabriolet D was cancelled after June, 1956 (51 built), the saloon remained in production until July, 1957 and was built in 1,432 units.

[edit] W189

The B-pillar was removed for a hardtop look in the Type 300d (chassis code W189) of August 1957. The saloon (now priced at DM 27,000) was produced through March 1962 with 3,077 built, while the Cabriolet D (DM 35,500) was available on special order only and registered 65 units produced. With a compression ratio of 8.55:1 and Bosch fuel injection, the 300d produced 160 PS (158 hp/118 kW) at 5300 rpm.

The saloon version was replaced by the W112 300SE, later by the 600, while the W111 220/230 took over at the lower end until the W108/W109 250/280/300 was ready in 1965.

[edit] W188

[edit] W188 I

The "W188" Type 300 S was Mercedes-Benz's top-end vehicle on its introduction at the Paris Salon in October 1951. The Type 300 S came as a 2+2 coupe, cabriolet (with landau bars) (officially Cabriolet A), or roadster. Although mechanically similar to the contemporary W186, the W188 was marketed as one of the top luxury cars in the world.

7.8:1 compression and triple Solex carburettors raised engine output to 150 PS (148 hp/110 kW) at 5000 rpm.

At DM 34,500 for all versions ($ 3,925 in the USA[2]), these cars were significantly more expensive then the regular W186 cars.

From July, 1952 to August, 1955, a total of 216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As and 141 Roadsters were produced.

[edit] W188 II

1955 saw the substitution of Mercedes-Benz's "low-pivot" independent suspension in the rear, and the addition of fuel injection in the Type 300 Sc whose inline-six now delivered 175 PS (173 hp/129 kW) at 5400 rpm. Visually, a pair of chrome strips on either side of the hood denotes this "Sc" model.

Prices rose to DM 36,500 and 98 Coupés, 49 Cabriolet As and 53 Roadsters were built until April 1958.

1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S roadster

Mercedes-Benz 300d Limousine

Mercedes-Benz 300S roadster

Mercedes Benz 300 S Interiors

[edit] References and Sources

  1. ^ Oswald, Werner (1. Auflage 2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5. 
  2. ^ Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Krause Publications, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8, p. 529
v • d • e
Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1946–1970s — next »
Class Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s
6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
4-cylinder Sedan W136 / W191 W120 / W121 W110 W115 W123
Roadster R121
6-cylinder Sedan W187 W105 / W180 / W128 W111 W114 W123
Coupé W187 W180 / W128
Large
car		 Sedan W186 / W189 W111 W108 / W109 W116
Luxury W188 W112
Limousine W186 / W189 W112 W100 (600)
Sports Roadster W198 W113 R107