Used For Sale at Auction: 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 for sale in Essen

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Essen event, 11 - 12 April 2019. Estimate: €450.000 - €550.000 Offered from a Private Swiss Collection The third 300 Sc built First used by Mercedes-Benz as a works test vehicle Driven by the legendary Rudolf Uhlenhaut Painstakingly and correctly restored by Europe's leading Mercedes-Benz specialist From today's perspective, the 1950s may seem like some utopia contemplated through the long perspective of reversed binoculars. At that time, nobody knew what lay ahead. All that was clear was that prosperity must return and that all remnants of the Second World War should be eliminated as soon as possible. Against this backdrop, Mercedes-Benz recognised the need to once again make a classically beautiful sporting luxury car. A car that epitomised the high-quality engineering and no-compromise construction that the marque was so justly famous for. Developed by Dr Karl Wilfert, Head of Car Development, and chief engineer Professor Dr Fritz Nallinger, the new Mercedes-Benz W188 chassis was presented at the Paris Salon in October 1951 and marketed as the 300 S. Manufacture began in July 1952 and ended in August 1955. Cars were special-ordered and custom-built in coupe, roadster and convertible body styles, all powered by a street-tuned three-carburettor version of the 300 SL sports car engine. Only 113 hand-built 300 S left the factory in 1952, rising to 353 in 1953 as the model found favour with celebrities and jetsetters. However, as other luxury manufacturers began adding air conditioning and high-powered V-8 engines to their offerings, only 92 examples were delivered in 1954. In response, manufacture of a new second-series Sc model (W 188 II) commenced in September 1955. New Bosch direct fuel injection boosted power by 25 bhp for improved performance, while a new single-pivot rear swing axle secured better handling. The already handsome looks were enhanced with chrome-plated perforated disc wheels and richer chrome trim, while new vent windows gave better cabin ventilation. Limited production of this second series lasted from September 1955 to April 1958: a total of 98 coup�s, 49 Cabriolet As and 53 Roadsters were built. Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc chassis no. 188.014. 5500003 was the third example built and first registered on 22 December 1955 to Automobilfabrik Daimler-Benz A.G. at Mercedesstra�e 136, Stuttgart Untert�rkheim. Finished in special dark grey nitro-cellulose paint, an interior upholstered in light grey leather and a Becker Mexico radio mounted in the dash, the car was used by Daimler-Benz as a test and factory vehicle to assess the newly developed injection system. The legendary Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who was heavily involved in the development of the injection system, also used the car. In September 1957, it was registered to the B.P. Benzin und Petroleum Gesellschaft in Hamburg, where it may have been used for testing fuel compounds. It is not known when BP disposed of the car. In 2007, a broker named Rolf Bunte contacted the famous German Mercedes-Benz specialist and restoration company Kienle Autotechnik on behalf of his client, an elderly owner who was dissolving his collection. The car was still in its original nitro-cellulose paint with only 26,000 km on the clock. It is likely that Kienle facilitated a sale to Hans-Joachim Sander in Berlin. From 2007 to 2009, the car was completely restored by Kienle Autotechnik on behalf of Sander, with great emphasis on originality and authenticity. The car was completely disassembled, the body professionally repaired in all areas and then repainted with nitro-cellulose paint in the original colour. The engine and all other mechanicals, including the injection system, were restored to factory specifications. The interior was completely restored in correct grey leather with black piping. Only original parts were used and, as far as these were no longer available, replaced by parts that were reproduced according to original factory drawings. A 300 Sc epitomises all that is desirable in a Mercedes-Benz: prestige, presence and performance. It was the modern successor to the great supercharged cars of the late 1930s, in particular the handsome 540 K, whose style is echoed in the 300 Sc's extended hood-line and fenders that flow gracefully over minimal running boards into a short rear end. In addition, this car boasts a fascinating period history as a development car for Mercedes-Benz, plus later use by the B.P. petroleum company in Germany. Finally, the car has been given a world-class restoration by a leading specialist - a combination of factors that makes this 300 Sc possibly one of the best in the world. • Aus einer privaten Schweizer Sammlung • Der dritte jemals gebaute 300 Sc • Ersteinsatz als Mercedes-Benz Werkstestwagen • Gefahren vom legend�ren Rudolf Uhlenhaut • Originalgetreu und korrekt durch Europas f�hrenden Mercedes-Benz Spezialisten restauriert Aus heutiger Sicht m�gen die 1950er Jahre wie eine Utopie wirken, die wir r�ckw�rtsgewandt mit umgekehrtem Fernglas ersp�hen. Damals jedoch wusste niemand, was die Zukunft bringen w�rde. Klar war, dass Wohlstand so schnell wie m�glich zur�ckkehren musste, und dass alle Erinnerungen an den Zweiten Weltkrieg so schnell wie m�glich beseitigt werden mussten. Vor diesem Hintergrund erkannte Mercedes-Benz die Notwendigkeit, wieder ein klassisch sch�nes und sportliches Luxusautomobil zu bauen - ein Fahrzeug, welches das hohe Niveau der Mercedes-Benz Ingenieurskunst und die kompromisslose Entwicklung der Marke zur Schau stellen sollte. Entwickelt von Dr. Karl Wilfert, Leiter der Fahrzeugentwicklung, und Entwicklungschef Professor Dr. Fritz Nallinger, wurde die Modellreihe W188 als Mercedes-Benz 300 S 1951 auf dem Pariser Salon vorgestellt. Die Produktion begann im Juli 1952 und endete im August 1955. Alle Fahrzeuge wurden speziell auf Kundenwunsch hergestellt und als Coup�s, Roadster oder Cabriolets ausgef�hrt. Als Antrieb f�r alle diente die stra�entaugliche Dreivergaser-Version des 300 SL Sportwagens. Nur 113 handgefertigte 300 S verlie�en 1952 die Werkshallen, gefolgt von 353 im Jahr darauf - ein Anzeichen, dass dieses Modell inzwischen Anklang bei Prominenten und Jetsettern gefunden hatte. 1954 ging die Produktion jedoch auf nur 92 Exemplare zur�ck, als die Konkurrenz begann, Klimaanlagen und V8-Motoren in ihren Modellen anzubieten. Als Antwort auf diese Herausforderung erschien im September 1955 die zweite Serie (W188 II) als 300 Sc. Eine neue Einspritzanlage von Bosch hob die Leistung um 25 PS f�r eine bessere Performance, w�hrend eine Eingelenk-Pendelachse hinten f�r bessere Fahreigenschaften sorgte. Die schon vorher h�bsch anzusehende Karosserie wurde durch verchromte Scheibenr�der und mehr Chromzier versch�nert, w�hrend neue Dreieicksfenster f�r eine bessere Bel�ftung sorgten. Die begrenzte Produktion dieser zweiten Serie belief sich von September 1955 bis April 1958 auf 98 Coup�s, 49 Cabriolets A und 53 Roadster. Der Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc mit der Fahrgestellnummer 188.014. 5500003 ist das dritte jemals gebaute Fahrzeug dieser Serie und wurde am 22. Dezember 1955 auf die Automobilfabrik Daimler-Benz A.G. in der Mercedesstra�e 136 in Stuttgart Untert�rkheim zugelassen. Der in einem speziellen schwarzen Nitrozelluloselack ausgef�hrte Wagen mit einem Interieur in hellgrauem Leder und einem Becker Mexico Radio im Armaturenbrett fungierte als Testfahrzeug f�r das neuentwickelte Benzineinspritzsystem. Der intensiv am Entwicklungsprozess beteiligte, legend�re Rudolf Uhlenhaut...for more information please contact the seller.