1953 Mercedes-Benz Other Cabriolet D

This 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 is one of 455 examples of the first-generation Cabriolet D variant manufactured between 1952 and 1954. The car was purchased new in Portland, Oregon, by its current owner’s stepmother, with whom it remained until being inherited by the current owner in 1986. A mechanical refurbishment carried out between 2015 and 2020 included an overhaul of the 3.0-liter M186 inline-six as well as its twin Solex carburetors. Additional work during the project included a refresh of the chrome brightwork, reseals of the four-speed manual transmission and rear axle, and rebuilds of the cooling system, vacuum-assisted drum brakes, and electrical ancillaries.

The Type 300 entered production in late 1951 as the company’s flagship model and was offered in both open and closed four-door configurations, each riding on a 3,050mm-wheelbase X-frame chassis. Approximately 650 cabriolets were built before the variant was discontinued in 1956 shortly after the model’s second round of revisions. Early examples such as this car featured solid front side windows without quarter vents and rear fenders absent of stone guards.

The exterior is finished in black, and evidence of repair work is noted on both rear quarter panels and the lower portion of the trunk panel. Cracking and lifting of the paint in those areas is shown up close in the photo gallery below along with other details of the finish and trim. The grille was refurbished in 2015, at which time the bumpers and various other pieces of brightwork were re-chromed by Paul’s Chrome Plating in Evans City, Pennsylvania.

The cabin is trimmed in red leather with matching carpeting, and a partial refurbishment in the 1970s is said to have included reupholstery of the front seats. The wood trim on the dash, windshield frame, and door caps was also refinished at that time. Discoloration and wear on the door panels, headliner.

The 3.0-liter SOHC M186 inline-six was overhauled by Silver Star Imports in 2017, with replacement components including piston rings, .010”-over rod and crank bearings, cylinder covers, a timing chain and its associated hardware, and a water pump. The cylinder head was machined and fitted with new valve seals, and the twin Solex 40 PBJC downdraft carburetors were rebuilt. The cooling system, fuel pump, distributor, generator, and starter were also rebuilt during the project.

All Scheduled Maintenance.

Always garaged.

Very clean interior.

Well maintained.