Chassis No. 188.011.5500048

Engine No. 188.920.550050

Body No. A188.011.5500025

After World War II, Mercedes-Benz set out to reclaim its status as Germany's premier luxury automaker. As the country entered its "Economic Miracle," its chairman vowed to "gold-plate the name Mercedes-Benz again." This resurgence began with the debut of the W186 300 sedan at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show. Later that year, the company unveiled the W188 300 S at the Paris Salon-a more exclusive, luxurious variant available as a Coupe, Cabriolet, or Roadster.

While based on the 300 sedan, the 300 S featured a 150 mm shorter wheelbase and a more powerful version of the 3.0-liter inline-six engine. With a raised compression ratio of 7.8:1 and twin Solex carburetors, it produced 150 horsepower. Advanced engineering elements like deep water jackets, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, and a hardened crankshaft enabled sustained high-speed Autobahn cruising.

Autocar magazine hailed the 300 S as the spiritual successor to the pre-war 540 K, praising its blend of performance, craftsmanship, and modern refinement. Inspired by their racing experience, the advanced rear suspension gave it superior stability. With its hand-built quality and elevated engineering, the 300 S was Mercedes-Benz's most expensive model-costing nearly 50 percent more than the standard 300 sedan.

Beginning as order number 756 399, this 1955 300 S Coupe was specified with exceedingly rare two-tone paintwork designated by Mercedes-Benz as a Sonderlackierung or Special Paint. Of a similar tone, Blue (DB335) was selected as the main body color and to finish the wheels and hubcaps and Light Blue Metallic (DB353) for the Coupe's roof. The stately appearance simulated the look of a hardtop cabriolet with all the practicality of the coupe body style. Tying the ensemble together is an elegant interior upholstered in Pearl Grey Leather with Blue piping. The colors that feature on the Wagenkarte are almost certainly a "one-off" combination and certainly one that exudes a rarified level of sophistication. The car was additionally equipped with a Becker Mexico AM/FM radio housed in its fabulous straight grain oak wood dashboard with a fender-mounted automatic radio antenna. Production was completed on 20 June 1955 and delivered to Max Hoffman's famous New York dealership, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, for final delivery just four days later, on 24 June.

At a point, this 300 S returned to Europe with its known ownership history beginning with registration in Sweden in 1994. Once in Sweden it remained with a single owner until it was purchased by the current owner in 2016. It was restored under prior ownership and beautifully refinished in its original two-tone blue color combination. While the Blue piping was still used on the interior, one slight variation from original was the use of Natural instead of Pearl Grey leather. The precious wood trim has been wonderfully restored and still houses a correct style Becker Nuremburg radio. Today, this shining example of Mercedes' top-of-the-line offering of the era remains commanding with its rarely seen two-tone color scheme.