Mercedes-Benz W188

Mercedes-Benz 300 S/300 Sc
1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S roadster
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1951−1958 W188 Coupé: 314 W188 Cabriolet/Roadster.: 446
Body and chassis
Class	Two-door luxury car
Body style	2 door coupé 2-door cabriolet 2-door roadster
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W188
Related	Mercedes-Benz 300, Mercedes-Benz 300d Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Powertrain
Engine	M188 2996 cc SOHC I-6
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	W188: 2,900 mm (110 in)
Length	W188: 4,700 mm (190 in)
Width	W188: 1,860 mm (73 in)
Height	W188: 1,510 mm (59 in)
Curb weight	W188: 1,760 kg (3,880 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz 770
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W112

The Mercedes-Benz W188 was a two-door luxury sports tourer produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1951 and 1958. The company's most expensive and exclusive automobile, the elegant, hand-built 300 S (1951-1954) and 300 Sc (1955-1958) models were the pinnacle of the Mercedes line of their era.

The pair's conservative styling belied their technological advances, sharing numerous design innovations and mechanical components with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing", including engine, suspension, and chassis. f

The hand-built two-door Type 300 S (W188) was Mercedes-Benz's top-end vehicle on its introduction at the Paris Salon in October 1951. It was available as a 2-seat roadster, 2+2 coupé, and cabriolet (with landau bars, officially Cabriolet A). Although mechanically similar to the contemporary 300 (W186), the additional craftsmanship, visual elegance, and 50% higher price tag elevated the W188 to the apex of its era's luxury cars.

The 300 S was fitted with a high-performance version of the W186's 3.0 L (2996 cc/182 in³) overhead cam, aluminum head M189 straight-6. Designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use, the engine featured deep water jackets, an innovative diagonal head-to-block joint that allowed for oversized intake and exhaust valves, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, copper-lead bearings and a hardened crankshaft. Triple Solex carburettors and 7.8:1 compression and raised maximum output to 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) at 5000 rpm.

From July, 1952 to August, 1955, a total of 216 Coupés, 203 Cabriolet As and 141 Roadsters were produced.

The 300 Sc (W188) appeared in 1955, featuring upgrades to both its engine and suspension. Following the high-performance 300SL Gullwing's lead a year earlier, the Sc's inline-six received a version of its mechanical direct fuel-injection, which delivered a slightly detuned 175 PS (129 kW; 173 hp) at 5400 rpm. Mercedes-Benz's "low-pivot" independent suspension was fitted in the rear. Only by a pair of chrome strips on either side of the hood visually distinguished it from its precursor.