For over 100 years—save for the war years—Mercedes-Benz maintained a consistent product strategy of offering affordable and practical transportation for the masses; these vehicles were promoted with a limited number of “halo” automobiles for the affluent and influential, as well as the marque’s heavily publicized achievements in motorsport. As soon as the company could get back on its feet after World War II, it reverted to this strategy.

At the recently revived auto shows in Frankfurt and Paris in 1951, the company displayed the updated but economical 170 S passenger sedan, the 300 limousine, and the 300 SL race cars, as well as three versions of its 300 S—the Roadster, Cabriolet, and Coupe—that used a shortened version of the limousine chassis and a detuned version of the 300 SL engine. The bodies were designed by Hermann Ahrens, whose own design credentials extended back to the 540 Ks built between the wars. With their stately, tall Mercedes-Benz grilles mounted with the three-pointed star, separate fenders with elegant chrome rings around the headlamps, proportions emphasizing the long hood and short tail, and running boards concealed under the doors, they evoke the best of past traditions while looking forward to the ageless design of future Mercedes-Benz cars. The three styles of personal luxury cars would be produced to special order through 1958 as the ultimate statement of taste in automotive transportation.

In 1955, Mercedes-Benz updated the model. The classic look remained, but the so-called 300 Sc gained a Bosch mechanical direct fuel-injection system derived from the 300 SL, along with revised suspension. As the most expensive cars in the Mercedes-Benz catalogue, only 200 examples of the 300 Sc were built across all three body styles. The desirable 300 Sc Roadster was, with only 53 completed before production ceased in early 1958, even more exclusive—and the 49 examples of the Cabriolet A even rarer yet.

Each 300 Sc was hand-built to order. All panels were carefully fitted, with edges leaded-in as needed to minimize and even out panel gaps. Trim was carefully fitted to each body, then removed to be chromed before final installation. On the interior, wood veneer in the grain and finish specified by the owner would be cut in book-matched symmetric patterns before being fitted.

The 300 Sc on offer is one of those scarce 49 Cabriolets produced through the three-year production run. Finished new in Graphite Grey over Red leather with a black convertible top, this flagship, hand-built automobile was crafted with the finest materials at Mercedes-Benz’s Sindelfingen works. Inside the elegant cabin, the expansive woodwork is paired with finely detailed switchgear; VDO instrumentation provides clear readouts of oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level, speed, and amps for the keen enthusiast behind the wheel. Additionally, the dash is further fitted with a Becker Mexico radio. The exterior features Bosch driving lights, a single driver’s mirror, and the signature landau iron while color-matched wheel covers complete the superb presentation.

The older restoration by noted marque specialist Charles Brahms was completed to a high standard deserving of such a spectacular automobile. Finished in an appealing red over a cognac interior with tan top, it presents well today. This 300Sc will be accompanied by a top boot with storage back, spare tire, and jack.

Powerful, exceedingly rare, and built to the highest standards, this Mercedes-Benz is a spectacular display of the famed marque’s capabilities. Few cars built in the period featured this level of quality and refinement, and every enthusiast should experience the many merits of the impressive 300 Sc.