1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet (more pics below 👇)
Stuttgart’s finest coachbuilders produced just 203 Cabriolet examples during the 300 S production run, making this elegant two-seater one of Mercedes-Benz’s most exclusive postwar offerings.
Introduced at the October 1951 Paris Motor Show, the model represented a shortened-wheelbase development of the standard 300 sedan that had debuted earlier the same year at Frankfurt.
Triple Solex carburetors fed the 183-cubic-inch (3.0-liter) straight-six engine, generating 150 horsepower compared to 115 in the standard 300. Power was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed fully synchronized manual transmission with a column-mounted shifter, allowing the 300 S to reach speeds of about 110 mph.
All-around independent suspension used double wishbones and an anti-roll bar up front, while a swing-axle layout with coil springs handled the rear. Contemporary road testers praised the car’s stability and composure on rough roads at high speeds, often linking its confident handling to Mercedes-Benz’s Grand Prix racing experience.
Offered alongside Coupé and Roadster variants, the Cabriolet attracted high-profile owners including Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, and the Aga Khan. An updated 300 SC arrived in 1955, featuring Bosch mechanical fuel injection in place of carburetors, and remained in production through 1958.
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