Mercedes Adenauer (1951-1962)
In today's automotive world, the number 300 may not mean too much, but a few decades ago it had a particular appeal. Chrysler used it in the USA for its famous and fast Chrysler 300 series, which was first introduced in 1955 as the C-300. He used the V8 hemi 331 cube engine in the engine and got the name 300, because he developed 300 hp.
In Germany, the name 300 was glorified by Daimler-Benz, who used it for its luxury car, introduced in 1951, the Mercedes Adenauer 300. Here, the name 300 was not used because of its power, but due to 3.0 liters (183 cu in ) engine capacity. When it was launched in April 1951 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes Adenauer caused the feeling that the police had to be called in to drive enthusiasts.
But it was not only the general public who compared the car, but the press, which said it checked it, that it should be considered an “international automobile extra class”. This impression was supported by happy customers who were able to afford a Mercedes Adenauer 300. Because at the price of 19,900. -MT ($ 4,720.-) this was, of course, also financially an additional class. In the US, 300 were introduced in 1953 and cost about $ 6,500. The most expensive sedan in the US was at the time the Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood. With "only" 5,820 dollars - this should be considered a bargain, given the fact that he had a 5.4 liter engine (331 cubic inches) V with an engine of 210 horsepower and a total length of 6.0 m (236, 5 inches).
The Mercedes, by comparison, came with a 115 DIN hp six-cylinder engine and had a total length of 4.95 meters (194.9 inches). However, its exciting price offered exclusivity, and some of its famous owners, such as Errol Flynn, Gary Cooper, Yul Brunner, Anthony Quinn, King Gustav Adolf from Sweden, Frank Lloyd Wright and Aga Khan, did not complain about it. Pope John XXIII even had a special Pullman Landolet, brought to his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo in 1960. Not for the first time in the history of Mercedes, Dad ordered a special car, and this was not the last time. The most famous owner must have been the first German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who had six of them during his tenure. In fact, Ben was so closely associated with the Chancellor that the entire series is still called Mercedes Adenauer.
The body of the car was still built on a very traditional cruciform chassis with an oval tube pre-war design. In this respect, it looked like the 170 and 220 Benz. It was also transported through the central lubrication system of the model 170. It may look old-fashioned, but in its favor it should be said that this frame design on the frame is ideal for maintaining a very high level of quality for cars produced in small quantities. Like the smaller 220 Benz, which was launched at the same time, its overhead camshaft of the built-in six-cylinder engine was very modern for the early 1950s. He was served by two descending carburetors instead of one, as in 220, and there were also much more. With a top speed of 160 km / h (100 mph), it was faster than its smaller brother, which proved to be the fastest sedan produced by the German automaker.
From 1951 to 1962, four versions of the Mercedes Adenauer 300 were released. While the first three models differed mainly in technical aspects, the latest version of the 300d was not only larger and more powerful, but also lightly worshiped by American-style ideas, since it first proposed Mercedes Benz sedan history with hardtop design. All four side windows can be lowered with chrome frames, and even rear quarter lights can be removed.
All four versions also offered a four-door convertible, which was insanely expensive and was produced only in very small quantities. In eleven years, only 11,430 Mercedes Adenauer 300 units were produced, of which 707 were convertibles. Cadillac produced a similar volume in one month. Despite the fact that 300 cannot be considered a great sales success in the history of Mercedes Benz, it undoubtedly helped restore Daimler-Benz’s image as a world-class luxury car manufacturer.
