1958 Mercedes-Benz 300d

The Mercedes-Benz 300 saloon was introduced in 1951 and was among the company's first all-new designs of the post-war era. It was instrumental in re-establishing the Stuttgart firm among the front rank of prestige motor manufacturers and returning the company to the tradition of building high-performance luxury automobiles.

The most experienced craftsmen were tasked with custom building each 300. They were luxuriously appointed and trimmed using materials of the finest and highest quality. Mechanical technology included hypoid bevel final drive, four-wheel drum brakes, all-independent suspension, dynamically balanced wheels and remote electrical control of the rear suspension ride height. The three-liter, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine, also used in the 300 SL sports car, initially developed 115 horsepower. It later gained a fuel injection system in the restyled, 4-inch longer wheelbase 300d of 1957. Other changes and improvements included larger brakes (servo-assisted from 1954), optional power steering (on the 300d), and a three-speed automatic transmission as standard on the latter. By this point in history, the sedan had become a pillarless design, and the longer wheelbase platform allowed for more interior room, comfort, and prestige. The convertible model, formally designated 'Cabriolet d,' was constructed only for special order, with 65 built-in five years.

Options included a Becker radio, VHF mobile telephone, dictation machine, power brakes, power steering, and Artic-Kar air-conditioning. The Bosch fuel-injected engine in the 300d produced 180 horsepower at 5500 RPM and was backed by an automatic transmission.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 was favored by financiers, businessmen, and politicians. It receiving its 'Adenauer' unofficial model name after German Chancellor Dr. Konrad Adenauer, its most famous customer. Konrad Adenauer was the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, in office from 1949 to 1963; he employed six different versions during his tenure.

Total production of the 300 sedan (all versions) lasted from 1951 through 1962, with slightly more than 10,000 units built. Between 1957 and 1962 when production ceased, Mercedes-Benz made 3,077 300d saloons, with 65 being Cabriolet D body styles. They were ultimately replaced as the Mercedes-Benz flagship by the 600 Pullman.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2020