Mercedes-Benz W186

Mercedes-Benz 300
Mercedes-Benz 300 (W186)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	W186: 1951-1957 12,190 built W186 Saloon: 7,646 W186 Cabriolet D: 642
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon 4-door phaeton 4-door cabriolet 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W186
Doors	4
Related	Mercedes-Benz 300 S, Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Powertrain
Engine	M186 2996 cc SOHC I-6
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	W186: 3,050 mm (120 in)
Length	W186: 4,950 mm (195 in)
Width	W186: 1,840 mm (72 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz 770
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W189

The Mercedes-Benz W186 model 300 was a four-door luxury tourer produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1951 and 1957. The company's largest and most prestigious automobile, it was the Maybach of its day, elegant, powerful, exclusive, and expensive. Three versions were produced in succession, known informally as the 300a (or simply 300), 300b, and 300c. An enlarged "300d" variant built on the W189 chassis succeeded it in late 1957.

Also referred to as a "Type 300", the W186 was equal in features and price but superior in performance to the rival Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Favored by statesmen and business leaders, it offered options such as a glass partition, VHF mobile telephone, and dictation machine.

All but hand-built as the company flagship, the W186 is often identified as an Adenauer after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, who employed six custom cabriolet, hardtop saloon, and landaulet versions of the W186 and its successor W189 during his 1949-1963 tenure. Among the custom features in these "parade cars" were writing desks, sirens, curtains, dividing partitions, sunroofs, and half-roof "landaulet" configurations.

Technologically advanced, the 300 was regarded as a "driver's" car, sharing numerous design innovations and mechanical components with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing", including engine, suspension, and chassis.

The four door 300 (W186) was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951 and entered series production in November 1951. It had no "a" designation, which was informally added, along with the "b" and "c", by later enthusiasts seeking to distinguish the three W186 generations.

Available as both a saloon and cabriolet, it featured graceful modernist bodywork atop Mercedes' proven X-frame chassis. An all new 3.0 L (2996 cc/182 in³) overhead cam, aluminum head M186 straight-6 was coupled to a 4-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. Twin downdraft Solex carburetors and an innovative diagonal head-to-block joint that allowed for oversized intake and exhaust valves produced 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at a 6.4:1 compression ratio.