MERCEDES-BENZ: The Fifties, Volume 1
Introduction
Introduction
© 2024 Bernd S. Koehling
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
Excerpts from the book:
Mercedes 300 S
In October 1951, just six months after the launch of the 220 and 300 sedans, Daimler-Benz managed to surprise European car aficionados again. Introducing the Mercedes 300 S so shortly after the other two six-cylinders was a massive undertaking for a company still recovering from WWII. But the launch of the W188 I at the Paris International Motor Show put the company right to the top of automotive manufacturers heaven again. The Kompressor masterpieces of the 1930s had found their rightful successor in the 300 S.
Marketed as one of the top luxury vehicles in the world, the Mercedes 300S had its technical genes from the Mercedes 300 sedan, but on a 140mm (6 in) shorter chassis. The engine received a boost, as the compression ratio had been increased from 6.4:1 to 7.8:1. Three carburetors helped to achieve a power output of 150 DIN hp, which gave the Mercedes 300 S a top speed of 176 km/h (109 mph). Compared to the pre-1940 5.4-liter supercharged straight-eight cylinder cars, they achieved the same acceleration and top speed using only half the fuel. Compared to a 540 K Spezialroadster with a wheelbase of 3,290 mm or 130 in, the new Mercedes 300 S’ wheelbase had shrunk to just 2,900 mm or 114 in. They had also lost a ton of weight from their pre-war siblings. What they had not lost though was an image of pre-war beauty>>>
In my
blog you can read about driving a 300 S Roadster today.
These are some of the topics covered in the book:* the development and history of the 300S models, all upgrades included
* chassis number and data card are explained in great detail
* should you be interested in the Pininfarina coach-built models, you can read about them here and
* over 150 mostly recent non-Daimler AG color photos highlight many interesting features, this includes pictures of the suspension.
A separate chapter illustrates the technical features and production figures of each model. Enjoy!
If you want to read more about the Mercedes 300 S and Sc, please go here for the printed book and the e-book. Both look at all three Mercedes 300S models plus the 300 Adenauer with its four-door cabriolets. If you do not live in the US, please select it from your respective country website of Amazon.
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The following videos are copied from youtube for your viewing pleasure. Some of them contain cars filmed by commercial vendors. I am not associated with them
MERCEDES 300 S
Mercedes 300 S, Sc W188 (1951 - 1958)
Superb books and e-books about Mercedes cars of the 1950s
