1961 Mercedes-Benz 300d 'Adenauer' Limousine

Registration no. 440 XUG Chassis no. 189.010.22.002641

Odometer reading: 63,485
MoT expiry date: exempt

*The last word in automotive luxury in its day
*Automatic transmission
*Rare right-hand drive model
*Superb history file with thousands spent

Introduced in 1951, the Mercedes-Benz 300 owed the design of its independently suspended oval-tube chassis to the 170S of 1949, and would later provide the mechanical basis for the incomparable 300 SL sports car. Additional refinements appropriate for the company's top-of-the-range luxury saloon included an improved steering mechanism and remote electrical control of the rear suspension ride height. Initially developing 115bhp (DIN), the 3.0-litre, overhead-camshaft six-cylinder engine was increased in power for succeeding models. Other improvements included larger brakes (with servo-assistance from 1954); optional power steering; and three-speed automatic transmission as standard on the 300d.
Custom built by Mercedes-Benz's most experienced craftsmen, the conservatively styled 300 was luxuriously appointed and trimmed with materials of the highest quality. Fast and elegant, it was one of very few contemporary vehicles capable of carrying six passengers in comfort at sustained high speeds. It was the car of choice among West German government officials, and throughout Europe and the USA was widely favoured by businessmen, financiers, and politicians. Indeed, 'Adenauer' became the 300 saloon/limousine's unofficial model name, after German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, its most famous customer.
This 'Adenauer' formerly belonged to Sir Freddie Laker. There are numerous bills on file amounting to vast sums spent on the vehicle, which include a full respray and interior trimming. which is vendor-rated as in very good condition and comes with an old-style logbook, article trimmings featuring the car and various model related manufacturers brochures/manuals.