The factories of Mercedes-Benz were devastated during WWII; consequently, the first cars it produced after the war were the small-platform 170 series – pre-war leftovers. Not until 1949 did the company begin work on a truly new post-war design, the 300. This car was aimed at the luxury niche, where Rolls Royce was already busy selling its post-war product to heads of state. The first design attempt was presented by Mercedes’ Chief Engineer, based on the 1930s 230. The sketch was deemed “inelegant” by management. The job was given to Hermann Ahrens, head of special vehicle production, and the result was a thoroughly modern interpretation of luxury, with sweeping fender lines, prominent headlamps, a rounded tail with ponton rear fenders, and an expansive greenhouse – the better to be seen while riding in this majestic coach. This platform was designated “W186”. Upon testing the car for his use, Chancellor Konrad Adenauer reportedly asked, “Have you anything larger?” In 1957, the W189 debuted, with a longer wheelbase. Though Chancellor Adenauer had suffered the smaller dimensions of W186 for many years by then – in a nod to the car’s other outstanding qualities – he happily adopted the larger W189 from its introduction beyond the end of his career when he took the 1963 model he used in his last official capacity, for his personal car. His fondness for the car imprinted his name on the 300 forever. Here on craigslist is a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300d “Adenauer” W189 with an asking price of $17,500. This car is located in Norfolk, Connecticut. Thanks, T.J., for this elegant tip. (Note that this car is also listed on Hemmings as well.)
The car was found supporting various garden implements in a garage where it resided for some thirty years. It needs a complete restoration, a prospect made all the more difficult by rust, top and bottom. The seller indicates the floors are fine but confirming that by inspection would be a priority. The interior is at least complete, with trim, handles, and gauges all present. The seller says the glass is good. The longer wheelbase was designed to give Adenauer, who did not drive, a more spacious seating area for his journeys.
The 300 received the 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder that later graced the 300SL. First breathing through twin Solex carburetors and generating 115 hp, the motor’s output gradually increased with compression and mechanical changes. This Bosch direct-injected version, available starting in 1957, was good for 160 hp. But the W189’s steering and suspension were softened, too, maintaining the gentle wallow suitable for coddling its celebrity passengers. This example’s gearbox is a three-speed automatic supplied by Borg Warner.
The car apparently received a repaint to its current dark blue at some point. The seller notes he sees green paint here and there, and consulting the VIN shows the “Lakierung” (paint) code is 221G, which is dark green. The value of these saloon cars is painfully low, given their hand-built bodies and extravagant appointments – a nice one can be had for about $30k, and a truly spectacular example will cost around $80k. Meanwhile, restoration will be a six-figure endeavor. Anyone brave enough to take this one on?
Again, a learning experience. The 300d Diesel engine was the foundation for the very successful 300sl gas motor-predating GM’s recent epiphany by 65 years..
https://www.thedrive.com/news/gm-uses-diesel-tricks-to-make-its-four-cylinder-truck-engines-tougher
Like you said, Michelle-it’ll cost more to bring it up to its former elegance than it’d fetch on the auction back but it’s a classy car.
Nevada,
The small d on the 300d emblem does not mean it has a Diesel engine, a Mercedes with a diesel has a capital D. The small d refers to the 4th generation of the 300 series sedan. The big 300 sedans, coupes, and convertibles, were never available with a Diesel. This is a common misake made by many people who are not that familiar with Mercedes-Benz emblems.
Exactly right, I should have made that clear. The 300 went through a series of b, c, d….
You’re a good educator as well, Bill. Having seen all the diesel MB’s here just made me assume, and we all know the pitfalls of that outlook. I’d based it in part to the scam when worn out European MB cabs were brought here and sold at “bargain” prices..
Mercedes-Benz cars involved in scams? Really? YOU BETCHA!
As an independent vehicle appraiser, accident investigator, and court recognized transportation expert, I’ve been asked to advise regarding M-B vehicles in various scams.
My favorite example was when a large insurance company asked me to examine a car over in northern Virginia. The car was insured as a fully restored circa 1971 M-B 600 pullman [7-passenger], the flagship of the M-B company. This 600 had been involved in an electrical fire that gutted the interior and burned about 80% of the car, it was a total loss, and the insurance company was faced with a payout of around $100,000.00.
On arrival at the impound lot, and checking the insurance company’s tag attached to the vehicle, I confirmed I had the correct car. I checked the tag because what I found was not a M-B 600 Pullman limousine, but a circa 1971 M-B 240D 7-passenger taxicab, and the remaining lights on the outside of the car indicated it had been a European vehicle. The car did have the 3 numbers on the trunk lid identifying it as a “600”, but those numbers were cheap chrome plated plastic, not even a genuine M-B part. The original VIN plate had been replaced with one that was clearly home made & suggested the car was a 600, but it was a VIN for a 240D taxi. I’m including a photo of a typical M-B 7-passenger taxicab.
Either the car’s owner, or someone in Europe who had sold it to the current owner, represented the car as a 600. Can you say “Insurance fraud?” I appraised the car for $5,000.00 before the fire. Once the insurer read my appraisal, they hired me to write a report detailing all the differences between a 240 and 600, along with relevant photos.
A couple of months later I had a phone call from a Virginia State Police detective, and I ended up sending him copies of the M-B factory paperwork on identifying their cars by VIN. I never heard from anyone involved with the car and potential fraud case, so I don’t know what eventually happened.
You’re another one that never fails to amaze, Bill. Knowing how most of these stolen vehicles divisions work between the law enforcement guys (the vast majority are gearheads too) your report probably made itself around quicker between them than the news of free beer at a rodeo.
Good on you, sir.
I was teally doubting a diesel engine could be turned into a non-diesel engine (and put into the 300sl). Now it makes sence!
Wow do these things really command that kind of coin or is the seller dreaming?, knowing what other models have sold for I see $500 maybe or post it for sale in Germany you might get it
A seller’s listing for his brother’s 1958 300d with sunroof and manual transmission (300d mit Schiebedach und Handschaltung is the advert title on carandclassic dot com listing for car available in Germany.
Search for 1958 Mercedes 300d to view photos.
German text thanks to Google translate:
“On behalf of my brother, I am privately selling a beautiful and healthy 1958 Mercedes 300d (“hardtop sedan”) in “pearl gray 125” paintwork with a steel sunroof, Becker radio, four-speed gearbox and blue-green velor interior. It is the more attractive early variant with the beautiful old steering wheel (ivory white) and the filigree control switches. Luckily also for the switch version, because the old BorgWarner automatic not only ate a lot of power, but also driving pleasure due to its roughness. A lot(!) has been invested in the car over the last three decades. A small fortune was invested in the interior alone (wood, radio, headlining, velor) and it is still in perfect condition today. The history goes back to 1965, when the first letter was exchanged for a second (still existing) “cardboard letter”. With the help of the Mercedes-Benz archive, however, the first owner is now known. There are many expensive bills: In 1999, for example, more than 20,000 DM was invested in an engine overhaul or in 2005 EUR 5,250 in the overhaul of the injection system. And so the car still drives today as it should be for a “state-supporting” car – absolutely sovereign. A stainless steel exhaust system was also installed. It has H-approval and has been driven by my brother for years with a private red license plate. The TÜV will of course be renewed upon request upon purchase.
As is so often the case, there is also a drop of bitterness: when the paint was painted decades ago, small bubbles formed in some places because some components were not compatible with each other. However, these have nothing (!!!) to do with rust and behind them you will only find perfectly healthy sheet metal. In general, the car seems never to have seen a welder, although it is a car that was driven in Germany. Please respect our asking price of EUR 75,000 (regardless of the daily exchange rate). It is not a fire sale and the money is certainly better spent in this historic car than in the bank!”
Mods, costs, caveats etc. per seller.
I can guess that even replacing the missing triple pointed star hood ornament would be a costly exercise.
The Wikipedia write up on the W189 details some of its odd features, which would make restoration costly. Just like its contemporary competition from Rolls Royce.
If it starts it’ll run just fine. Freaking Benz diesels. Only thing slower is another one.
After owing and restoring a ’58 300… all I can say is… Great car to drive, you’ll be upside down as soon as you buy this !. If someone gave it to you, you took it to Mexico for restoration, and you dumped another 50 grand + into it… it still wouldn’t bring much over 30K. The rubber alone is about 15 K from Mercedes restoration center. However, a really nice driving car …
(Beware of the rear swing axle, it bites).
You are exactly right, I used to own a very fine example that was in brand new condition when I bought the car in 1969 it was a 1961 model.
A great and nvery ncomfortable car, no aircon, but with all the windows down and the last small rear windows in the leader bag it was a pillarless roof.
I still have very fond memories of the years that I owned that car when I was based in Gemany during the cold war as a NATO solder from the Netherlands
A Derelict candidate if ever I saw one.
Why would anyone think this is a diesel when the spark plug wires are so obvious?
Because that distributor looking thing is really just the headlight relays…LOL
Becausee not everyone would see this plug wires (including me. I don’t really check the engine picture, I prefer the car pictures)….when everyone will see the “d” in the title. And most of us would think of “diesel” when they see a “d” on a car.