1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 Cabriolet

After leaving the factory on December 31, 1952, this car was delivered new to Mr. Franklin Eli, of Buffalo, New York. He enjoyed the car for seventeen years, driving it 66,243 miles. In 1969, he put the car in storage, where it remained until his demise. He left the car to his nephew, James Eli, who brought it to Warren L. Riter and Sons restoration facility.

The current owners purchased the car in 2009, from Mr. Eli's widow. They continued the restoration at the same facility. It was completed on July 25, 2012, consuming more than 12 years. It was completed to the highest possible standards, including all factory colors.

The car features a Nuremburg III radio, tuned to all the European Capitals and the interior wood is solid ebony, not the typical wood veneer used by the factory in the 1950s.

The 300 series was the first all-new model produced by Mercedes-Benz after the end of World War II. Designed by Hermann Ahrens, the four-door version was quickly nicknamed 'Adenauer' because six custom examples were used by German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. The four-door convertible Cabriolet D models were very rare and beautifully engineered, capable of carrying six persons in luxury and style. It had a landau bar-assisted cabriolet top, leather-swathed interior, trim of chrome-plated solid brass, and beautiful hardwoods.

This particular Mercedes-Benz was produced on December 31, 1952, for the United States market and given a special-order color combination of Dark Green (DB 221) with a matching grey-green (1061) leather interior. Optional equipment included a Becker Nürburg III six-band radio.

This Cabriolet D was sold new in 1953 to Franklin Ely of Buffalo, New York. Mr. Ely used the car sparingly until 1969, when it was put into storage in Ithaca, New York, having driven only 66,000 miles.

In 1999, the car was willed to the original owner's nephew, who had it sent to Warren Riter & Sons in Penfield, New York, for a comprehensive, concours-grade restoration back to original specifications. Near the end of the restoration, the owner passed away; it was then sold to Tom Hamilton in 2004. Mr. Hamilton oversaw the remainder of the restoration. Upon competition, the car was shown around the country to great success. Among the list of events was the Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's in 2012, where it was awarded Best in Class, and at the Amelia Island Concours in 2013, where it was also an award winner.

In 2015, Mr. Hamilton sold this car to a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2024