Chassis No. 188.012.00305/53

Body No. 188.180101/53

Following the conclusion of World War II, Mercedes-Benz was eager to reinstate itself as the pinnacle of German-made luxury and performance. While Germany's "Economic Miracle" certainly played a part, the Stuttgart luxury car maker would, in the words of the board chairman at the time, "gold-plate the name Mercedes-Benz again." This began with the introduction of the W186 300 four door sedan at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951. Later that year, during the Paris Salon in October, the "W188" 300 S was launched as the most luxurious and prestigious car of the entire model range that was available as a Coupe, Cabriolet, and Roadster.

Naturally, the 300 S was based on the 300 sedan's construction, however, it utilized a 150 mm shorter wheelbase. The 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine design was also borrowed from the 300, yet the 300 S received an increased compression ratio of 7.8:1 and an additional Solex carburetor which increased its output to 150 horsepower. The thoughtful engineering of this engine, with deep water jackets, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, and a hardened crankshaft, meant the car was capable of maintained high speed cruising on the expanding Autobahn network.

On debut, the 300 S was rightfully represented as the spiritual successor to the illustrious pre-war 540 K. Autocar magazine compared the two, citing that the 300 S shared, "the characteristics of high performance, impressive appearance, and fine detail finish which distinguished the big Mercedes models of pre-war days." Further heaping praise on the top-of-the-line Mercedes, they continuing by saying that the "added new virtues of silence, flexibility and lightness of control, while the latest rear suspension, a product of long experience on Grand Prix cars and touring cars, confers a degree of security at high speeds on rough and slippery surfaces which it would be very difficult indeed to equal." This heightened level of design and hand-built craftsmanship resulted in a nearly 50 percent higher price than an equivalent 300 sedan, Mercedes-Benz's most costly vehicle at the time

The 300 S Roadster on offer, chassis number 00305/53, completed production on 8 October 1953 in DB 164 Dunkel Grau (Dark Gray) over 955 Hell Grau (Light Grey) leather interior, as per its Data Card. Additionally, the Data Card notes that the car was built as an export example that was transported by train to Milan, Italy, where it was delivered to Mercedes' Milan dealer, "F.A. Saporiti" on 31 October of that year.

By the 1970s it is reported to have been imported into the United States and owned by the ninth president of the Gull Wing Group International, David Shisler. While the engine is stamped to be numbers matching, it is believed the short block cast on 3 March 1959 (3 F 59) was installed in the car around 1975. The car was later sold to Hyatt Cheek of Dallas, Texas, in 1981. An active member of the Mercedes-Benz community, Mr. Cheek was the nineteenth president of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America and the thirteenth president of the Gull Wing Group International. Under the direction of Mr. Cheek, the car received a cosmetic restoration to its current color combination of Light Ivory with a dark brown convertible top and matching leather interior. In 1998, the car was acquired by American baseball Hall of Famer and noted car collector Reggie Jackson, joining his extensive collection. Mr. Jackson later sold the 300 S in 2001, with the current owner acquiring it in 2006.

Today the car remains in superb condition and is ideally equipped for touring use with a set of Bosch driving lights and a three-piece set of fitted luggage finished in the same brown leather as the interior. Always a car among the stars, this 300 S Roadster will surely draw the admiration of all as it passes, much like it did over 70 years ago.