1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupé
Coachwork by Sindelfingen
Registration no. Not UK registered
Chassis no. 188 014 6500123
Engine no. 6500127

Right from the marque's creation in 1926 by the merger of Daimler-Benz and Mercedes, Mercedes-Benz's top-of-the-range models have ranked in the forefront of the world's greatest automobiles. Throughout the 1950s the company's flagship model was the 300S, a luxurious Grand Tourer in the tradition of the pre-war 540 K that was both lighter and faster than its illustrious predecessor. Mercedes-Benz's first prestige car of the post-WW2 period, the 300 debuted at the Paris Salon in 1951. The range comprised the six-light, four-door saloon and similar-sized cabriolet, plus a trio of two-door variants built on a shorter wheelbase.

Like the majority of 1950s luxury cars, the 300 retained a separate chassis, though unlike most of its rivals could boast all-independent suspension. Later to form the basis of the immortal 300 SL sports car's, the 3.0-litre, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine produced 115bhp, an output good enough to endow the saloon with a genuine 100mph maximum speed despite an all-up weight of 1,780kg (almost 4,000lbs). And while not unique in that respect, the 300 could cruise at close to its maximum speed while transporting six passengers in comfort in a manner that few of its contemporaries could match.

Even more performance was available to those in a position to afford a 300 S. At US$12,500 the latter was more than double the price of the most expensive Cadillac and costlier than a 300 SL, so remained the province of a highly select clientele. Built in coupé, cabriolet and roadster versions, the 300S enjoyed an extra 35bhp courtesy of an increased compression ratio and three - as opposed to two - Solex down-draught carburettors. Its top speed was 176km/h (109mph), a figure improved upon by the subsequent 300 Sc introduced towards the end of 1955 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The 300 Sc featured a 175bhp dry-sump engine equipped with Bosch fuel injection, and boasted revised rear suspension with single-pivot swing axles similar to that of the 300 SL Roadster, a development that enhanced both roadholding and handling. The car's top speed was now 180km/h (112mph) with 100km/k (62mph) reachable in around 13 seconds. To cope with the improved performance, servo-assisted brakes, optional from 1954, were standardised.

Coachbuilt in the traditional manner by Sindelfingen, the 300 S family represents a standard of excellence that has rarely been equalled; only materials of the finest quality were used for the hand finished interiors, which were comparable with those of the contemporary Rolls-Royce. The 300 Sc is widely regarded by discerning collectors as the most desirable of all Mercedes-Benz's post-war luxury models. Only 200 examples of the 300 Sc were built and survivors are both rare and highly sought after.

One of only 98 built with this particular body style, this stunning and ultra-rare 300 Sc coupé is finished in black with maroon leather upholstery and matching fitted luggage. According to the accompanying original service book, it was originally delivered to the Royal Swedish Embassy in Prague and was serviced in its early years at the Mercedes-Benz concessionaire in Vienna, Austria. By August 1959 the car had been serviced five times and the recorded mileage was 13,520 kilometres.

In 1960 the car came to Stockholm in Sweden, (the original import document is on file ) where it was regularly serviced until September 1967, by which time the odometer reading had increased to some 90,030 kilometres. On 16th October 1961 the car changed hands, passing into the ownership of an architect by the name of Bent Joergen Joergensen. The Mercedes remained in Sweden until 2007 when it was purchased by a well known collector from the North of England. It has formed part of his exclusive private collection since then and has always been garaged and dry stored. Believed largely un-restored, the car is in remarkably solid condition and ran well during the recent photo shoot for this catalogue.

These impressive, hand-built Mercedes-Benz infrequently come to the market and are a much rarer sight than the 300 SL Gullwing, whose engine they share. They remain exceptionally capable touring cars and are a must for every serious Mercedes-Benz collection, especially examples with exceptional provenance and history such as this one. The car even retains its original Blaupunkt Köln radio, and not only comes with the radio manual in German and English but also a Swedish translation and the installation instructions.

A rare find indeed, this distinguished Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc is offered with sundry Swedish documents; old-style Swedish registration papers (Registreringsbevis); the aforementioned original Swedish import document; the original Mercedes-Benz service book; and booklet listing Mercedes-Benz service stations throughout Europe.