To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Monterey event, 15 - 17 August 2024.

• One of very few US-market coupes produced with the incredibly sought-after floor-shift transmission
• An exclusive hand-built automobile from an era of increasing mass-production
• Presented in its factory-correct color scheme of Dark Grey over Light Grey leather; retains its numbers-matching body and engine
• Prior high-quality rotisserie restoration executed by a previous owner with input from renown model specialist Charles Brahms; more recent sorting by Paul Russell and Company
• Accompanied by Mercedes-Benz Classic Origin Certificate, Karl Baisch luggage set, tools, Becker Le Mans radio, and history file

Please note that this lot is titled as a 1956.

The Mercedes-Benz 300 (W188), introduced in October 1951, is a highly significant automobile in the history of the company, as it represented their robust return to production following World War II. Based on a new tubular steel chassis with independent suspension, it featured handsome coachwork that combined Classic Era styling with modern lines into one striking whole. Available by special order in coupe, roadster, and cabriolet body styles, this model was powered by a triple-carbureted version of the six-cylinder engine from the 300 SL racecar.

After the 300 S came an updated version now known as the 300 Sb, which was later followed by the fuel-injected 300 Sc. The 300 Sb was built for a very short period, lasting from 1954 to 1955. This model had several notable improvements over the initial 300 S design, including front vent windows, a more efficient heating system, and power-assisted brakes with finned drums. For 1955, the 300 Sb had a price tag of $12,300; this sum was nearly twice the price of a 300 SL Gullwing Coupe!

Each 300 S was carefully hand-crafted by the company’s skilled artisans and enjoyed superb build quality with the very finest materials, including acres of rich solid burlwood trim and armchair-like seats cushioned by the thickest German leathers. The extreme cost and exceptional rarity of the 300 S made it strictly the purview of movie stars, business tycoons, and celebrities, and to this end the Coupe body style was undoubtedly the most stylish.

The stunning US-market 300 Sb Coupe offered here is identified on accompanying Mercedes-Benz Classic Origin Certificate as having been delivered on 5 July 1955 and originally finished in Dark Grey (DB 164) over Light Grey (955) leather with Becker Le Mans radio, whitewall tires, and Hirschmann automatic antenna and sealed-beam headlights. The data card further confirms that the car was delivered with these chassis, engine, and body numbers. Interestingly, this 300 Sb Coupe benefits from the ultra-desirable and rarely seen floor-shift option, as opposed to the typical column-mounted transmission selector.

Following many years of ownership in the Los Angeles, California area, the car was comprehensively, rotisserie-restored by a previous owner, and this work reportedly took place under the guidance of the legendary 300 specialist Charles Brahms of Irvine, California.

In 2005, this attractive and numbers-matching 300 Sb Coupe was acquired by the noted marque collector J Roberto Quiroz of Houston, Texas, and while under his care it was treated to further sorting by renown specialist Paul Russell Company in Essex, Massachusetts.

Now offered from a Mercedes-Benz dealer’s excellent collection of post-war Mercedes-Benz automobiles, this stellar 300 Sb Coupe is the ultimate statement of exclusive luxury.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/mo24/.