At the 1951 Paris Salon, Mercedes-Benz revealed a hand-built two-door car, the Mercedes-Benz 300 which was produced until 1954 as the 300 S when it was replaced by the 300 Sc version. However, between 1954 and 1955, Mercedes-Benz launched an updated version of the 300 S, the 300 Sb. Only 216 cars were produced and one of them, the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sb Coupe, will be offered at auction.
Mercedes-Benz 300 represented a strong return of the German manufacturer to the market after the Second World War. It was an elegant luxury car designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use. However, Mercedes decided to update this model by installing upgraded brakes, a redesigned dashboard, and pivoting vent windows. Ultimately, this also resulted in a 50% price increase over the 300 S ($12,300).
This car is finished in Dark Gray over Light Gray leather, and is in excellent condition. It is equipped with Becker Le Mans radio, whitewall tires, Hirschmann automatic antenna and sealed-beam headlights. What makes this 300 Sb rare is the ultra-desirable and rarely seen floor-shift option, as opposed to the typical column-mounted transmission selector.
Under the bonnet is a 3.0-L inline-6 engine with 150 hp (110 kW).
and 162 lb-ft (220 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission.
The auction will be held in Monterey from August 15 – 17, 2024, and the estimated value of the car is between $375,000 – $425,000 USD.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
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