# Mercedes-Benz W186

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Motor vehicle

Motor vehicle

Mercedes-Benz 300 Mercedes-Benz 300 (W186) Overview Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Production 1951–1957 12,190 built[1] 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 300 SL Powertrain Engine 2996 cc M186 SOHC I6 Transmission 4-speed manual 3-speed automatic Dimensions Wheelbase W186: 3,050 mm (120.1 in) Length W186: 4,950 mm (194.9 in) Width W186: 1,840 mm (72.4 in) Chronology Predecessor Mercedes-Benz 770 (wartime) Successor Mercedes-Benz W189

The **Mercedes-Benz W186** Model 300 is a four-door luxury sedan produced by [Mercedes-Benz](/source/Mercedes-Benz) between 1951 and 1957. It was the company's flagship model at the time, succeeding the [World War II](/source/World_War_II) era [W150](/source/Mercedes-Benz_770). 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](/source/Mercedes-Benz_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](/source/Rolls-Royce_Silver_Cloud)[2] and [Bentley S1](/source/Bentley_S1). Favored by statesmen and business leaders, it offered options such as a glass partition, [VHF](/source/VHF) mobile telephone, and [dictation machine](/source/Dictation_machine).

The W186 is often identified as an **Adenauer** after [Konrad Adenauer](/source/Konrad_Adenauer), the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany ([West Germany](/source/West_Germany)), who employed six custom [cabriolet](/source/Cabriolet_(automobile)), [hardtop](/source/Hardtop) [saloon](/source/Saloon_(car)), and [landaulet](/source/Landaulet_(car)) 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,[3] the 300 was regarded as a "driver's" car, sharing numerous design innovations and mechanical components with the iconic [Mercedes-Benz 300 SL](/source/Mercedes-Benz_300_SL) "Gullwing", including engine, suspension, and chassis.

## Models

### 300

The four-door 300 (W186) was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951 and entered series production in November 1951.[1] 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](/source/Mercedes-Benz_M186_engine) [straight-6](/source/Straight-6) was coupled to a 4-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. Twin downdraft [Solex](/source/Solex_Carburetor) 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.

The W186 cabriolet displays the series' streamlined rear lines

W186 used by [Konrad Adenauer](/source/Konrad_Adenauer) in [Bonn](/source/Bonn)

Designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use, the engine featured deep water jackets, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, [copper-lead](/source/Leaded_copper) bearings and a hardened crankshaft. With no natural cruising speed, the car could sustain anything up to its maximum speed all day, road conditions permitting.[4]

The combination of a rigid X-shaped ovoid steel tube frame and four-wheel [independent suspension](/source/Independent_suspension) provided surprisingly nimble handling. [Double wishbones](/source/Double_wishbone), [coil springs](/source/Coil_spring), and a [stabilizer bar](/source/Anti-roll_bar) were used up front and Mercedes' typical double coil spring [swing axle](/source/Swing_axle) in rear. An innovative dashboard-operated rear load-leveling suspension engaged a [torsion bar](/source/Torsion_bar) to increase stiffness by one-third when needed, and a pedal-operated central lubrication system kept friction points silent.[2] Brakes were hydraulic drum all around, steering worm-and-sector, replaced in 1952 by [recirculating ball](/source/Recirculating_ball).

A total of 6,214 saloons and 591 *Cabriolet Ds*, retroactively referred to as the "300a" series, were produced through September, 1955, including a brief 300b run incorporating elements of the 300c's partial facelift prior to its debut.

### 300b

The **300b** (W186) was introduced in March 1954, adding vacuum assisted power brakes and front door vent windows. Engine power was upped to 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) via different Solex carburetors and an increased compression ratio of 7.5:1.

### 300c

The **300c** (W186) made its debut in September, 1955, adding a larger rear window and optional 3-speed [Borg-Warner automatic transmission](/source/Borg-Warner_35_transmission). It was priced at $10,864 in the United States (DM 22,000 on the home market), with the convertible almost a third more at $14,231 (DM 24,700).

A special **Innenlenker** [limousine](/source/Limousine) (also called the **Type 300 Lang**) with on a 20 cm (7.9 in) longer [wheelbase](/source/Wheelbase) became available from July, 1956, priced at DM 25,000.

A total of 1,432 300c saloons were produced through July, 1957. Only 51 300c series Cabriolet D's were built through June 1956, when the model was dropped.

## Successor

The limousine-length Mercedes-Benz [300d](/source/Mercedes-Benz_W189) (W189) was introduced in 1957

### 300d (W189)

Main article: [Mercedes-Benz W189](/source/Mercedes-Benz_W189)

The 300c was succeeded by a limousine-length "[300d](/source/Mercedes-Benz_W189)" (W189) in 1957. It featured sweeping changes that included revised bodywork, [fuel injection](/source/Gasoline_direct_injection), and unique [hardtop](/source/Hardtop) configuration transforming it into a pillarless [phaeton](/source/Phaeton_body).

## See also

- [Mercedes-Benz 300 S](/source/Mercedes-Benz_W188#300_S)

## References

### Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOswald2001c_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEOswald2001c_1-1) [Oswald 2001c](#CITEREFOswald2001c).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Classic_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Classic_2-1) Classic and Sportscar Magazine, February 1994, Pp. 52-55

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Mercedes Benz 300 | Buy & Sell | Beverly Hills Car Club"](http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/buy-mercedes-benz-300.htm).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["300 300b 300c 300d Convertible Sedan 1951-1962"](http://www.silverstarrestorations.com/300_con_sedan.htm). Silverstarrestorations.com. Retrieved 2010-10-01.

5.[Buy Mercedes Benz 300](https://www.vintagecarcollector.com/vehicles/2105/1982-mercedes-benz-300-cd-2dr-turbodiesel-coupe)

### Bibliography

- Barrett, Frank (1998). [*Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz*](https://archive.org/details/illustratedbuyer0000barr/). Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide series (2nd ed.). Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7603-0451-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7603-0451-8).

- Clarke, R.M., ed. (1987). *On Mercedes 1952-1962*. [Road & Track](/source/Road_%26_Track) Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [1-869826-40-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-869826-40-X).

- Hartmann, Matthias (2017). *Das große Mercedes-Cabrio-Buch* [*The Big Mercedes Cabrio Book*] (in German) (reprint of the original 1992 ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783958435810](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783958435810).

- Hofner, Heribert (2011). *Mercedes-Benz Typenkunde* [*Mercedes-Benz Type Study*] (in German). Vol. Band 3. Modelle der Oberklasse von 1951 bis 1972, Luxusklasse, S-, SL- und SLC-Klasse [Volume 3. Upper class models from 1951 to 1972, Luxury class, S-, SL- and SLC-Class]. Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783768832786](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783768832786).

- Koehling, Bernd S. (2021). *Mercedes-Benz: Everything you want to know about the 300 and 300S: From the 300 Sedan to the 300Sc Cabriolet*. Independently published. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9798723506695](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9798723506695).

- Larimer, Fred (2004). *Mercedes-Benz Buyer's Guide: Roadsters, Coupes, and Convertibles*. St. Paul, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0760318115](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0760318115).

- Niemann, Harry (2006). *Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz: Automobillegenden und Geschichten seit 1886* [*Passenger Cars from Mercedes-Benz: Automobile Legends and Stories since 1886*] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3613025965](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3613025965).

- Nitske, W. Robert (1995). *Mercedes-Benz Production Models Book 1946-1995* (4th ed.). Osceola, WI, US: MBI Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-7603-0245-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7603-0245-6).

- [Oswald, Werner](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werner_Oswald_(Automobilhistoriker)) [in German] (2001c). *Deutsche Autos* [*German Cars*] (in German). Vol. Band [Volume] 4: 1945–1990 Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche und andere [and others]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-613-02131-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-613-02131-5).

- ——————— (2001e). *Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen* [*Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars*] (in German). Vol. Band 2: 1945–1985. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3613021684](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3613021684).

- Rohde, Michael; Koch, Detlef (2000). *Mercedes-Benz*. Typenkompass series (in German). Vol. Band 1. Personenwagen 1945 - 1975 [Volume 1. Passenger Cars 1945 - 1975]. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [361302019X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/361302019X).

- Sacardi, Cajetan (2013). *Mercedes-Benz 300 & 600: Staatslimousinen 1951–1981* [*Mercedes-Benz 300 & 600: State Limousines 1951–1981*]. Schrader-Typen-Chronik series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9783613035324](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9783613035324).

- [Schlegelmilch, Rainer W.](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainer_W._Schlegelmilch) [in German]; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). *Mercedes* (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-8480-0267-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-8480-0267-2).

- Taylor, James (1985). [*Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide*](https://archive.org/details/mercedesbenzsinc0000tayl/). Vol. 1: The 1940s and 1950s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-900549-95-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-900549-95-5).

- Wiedmaier, Michael (2004). *Mercedes-Benz 300: Mythos in vier Generationen* [*Mercedes-Benz 300: Myth in Four Generations*]. WKP-Edition Klassik series (in German). Freilassing: WKP-Verlag. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3980727130](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3980727130).

- Zeichner, Walter (1990). *Mercedes Benz 300: 1951-1962 – Sedans, Coupes, Cabiolets*. Schiffer Automotive Series. West Chester, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0887402496](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0887402496).

- ["300 S (W188)"](http://www.philseed.com/mb300s-w188.html). *Phil Seed's Virtual Car Museum*. Retrieved December 1, 2005.

- ["300 (W186, W189)"](http://www.philseed.com/mb300-w186.html). *Phil Seed's Virtual Car Museum*. Retrieved December 1, 2005.

- ["Mercedes-Benz Type 300 Adenauer"](http://www.mbzponton.org/valueadded/other/adenauer.htm). *MBZPonton.Org*. Retrieved December 1, 2005.

## External links

Media related to [Mercedes-Benz W186](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mercedes-Benz_W186) at Wikimedia Commons

v t e « previous — Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1946–1970s — next » Class Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 4-cylinder Sedan W136 170S (W136/W191) W120 W121 W110 W115 W123 6-cylinder Sedan, Coupé W105 W110 W114 W111 W108 W116 W126 S-class Sedan W187 W180 W111 W128 W111 W108 W116 W126 Coupé W187 W180 W128 W111 C107 Convertible W187 W180 W128 W111 300 Sedan W186 W189 W112 W108 LWB W112 W109 Coupé W188 W112 Convertible Ultra-luxury Limousine W100 Sports Roadster W121 B2 W113 R107 Coupé W198 Roadster W198 Commercial Van L319 T2

v t e Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan lineage Official W116 (1972) W126 (1979) W140 (1991) W220 (1999) W221 (2006) W222 (2014) W223 (2021) Predecessors W187 (1951) W180 (1954) W128 (1958) W111 (1959) W108 (1965) W186 (1951) W189 (1957) W112 (1961) W109 (1966)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Mercedes-Benz W186](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W186) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W186?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.