Historical past of Mercedes: The 300 Adenauer

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The Mercedes Adenauer (1951 – 1962)

In at the moment’s automotive world, the quantity 300 may not imply an excessive amount of anymore, however a couple of many years again it had a really particular enchantment. Chrysler used it within the US for its well-known and quick Chrysler 300 collection, which was first launched in 1955 because the C-300. It used a V8 hemi 331 cu in engine and was known as 300, as a result of it developed 300 hp.

In Germany, the identify 300 was made well-known by Daimler-Benz, who used it for his or her high luxurious automobile launched in 1951, the Mercedes Adenauer 300. Right here the identify 300 was not used due to its horsepower however due to the three.0 l (183 cu in) engine displacement. When it was launched in April 1951 on the Frankfurt Vehicle Present the Mercedes Adenauer brought on such a sensation that mounted police needed to be known as in to handle the enthusiastic crowd.

But it surely was not solely most of the people who appreciated the automobile, it was the press who mentioned after testing it that it ought to be thought-about as “worldwide automotive further class”. That impression was supported by the fortunate prospects, who have been capable of afford the Mercedes Adenauer 300. As a result of at a worth of 19,900.- DM ($4,720.-) it was definitely additionally from a monetary standpoint further class. Within the US the 300 was launched in 1953 and value round $6,500.-. The priciest sedan within the US was at the moment the Cadillac Collection 75 Fleetwood. At “solely” $5,820.- it have to be thought-about a discount, given the truth that it had a 5.4 l (331 cu in) V8 engine with 210 brake horsepower and an total size of 6.0 meters (236.5 in).

The Mercedes, as compared, delivered with its six-cylinder engine 115 DIN hp and supplied an total size of 4.95 meters (194.9 in). Nonetheless, its breathtaking worth supplied exclusivity and a few of its well-known homeowners resembling Errol Flynn, Gary Cooper, Yul Brunner, Anthony Quinn, King Gustaf Adolph of Sweden, Frank Lloyd Wright and the Aga Khan positive did not complain about it. Pope John XXIII even had a particular Pullman Landaulet delivered to his summer season residence in Castel Gandolfo in 1960. It was not the primary time within the historical past of Mercedes {that a} pope had ordered a particular constructed automobile and it was additionally not the final time. Probably the most well-known proprietor will need to have been the primary German chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who had throughout his tenure six of them. As a matter of reality the Ben was so intently related to the chancellor that the entire collection remains to be at the moment known as the Mercedes Adenauer.

The automobile’s physique was nonetheless constructed on a really conventional cruciform oval-tubed chassis of pre-war design. On this respect it was much like the 170 and 220 Benz. It additionally carried over the central lubrication system of the 170 mannequin. It would look quaint, however in its favor it must be mentioned that this body-on-frame-construction was ultimate for sustaining a really excessive degree of high quality for vehicles produced in small numbers. Just like the smaller 220 Benz, which was launched on the similar time, its overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine was very trendy for early 1950’s requirements. It was fed by two downdraft carburetors as an alternative of 1 as within the 220 and was additionally significantly bigger. With a high velocity of 160 km/h (100 mph) it was faster than its smaller sibling, establishing itself because the quickest sedan produced by a German automobile producer.

From 1951 to 1962, 4 variations of the Mercedes Adenauer 300 have been produced. Whereas the primary three fashions differed principally in technical points, the final model 300d was not solely greater and extra highly effective, it was additionally a slight bow to American styling concepts, because it supplied for the primary time within the historical past of Mercedes Benz a sedan with a hardtop design. All 4 facet home windows may very well be lowered with their chromed frames and even the rear quarter lights may very well be taken out.

All 4 variations supplied additionally a four-door cabriolet, which was insanely costly and solely produced in very small numbers. Over a time span of 11 years, simply 11,430 items of the Mercedes Adenauer 300 have been produced, of which 707 have been cabriolets. Cadillac produced an identical quantity in a mere month. Though the 300 may not be regarded within the historical past of Mercedes Benz as an enormous gross sales success, it positive helped to re-establish the picture of Daimler-Benz as a world class producer of luxurious cars.

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Source by Bernd S Koehling