Description
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More expensive than the 300 SL sports car and almost double the price of the contemporary top-of-the-range Cadillac, the Mercedes-Benz 300 S was one of the world's most exclusive automobiles. It is also historically significant as one of Mercedes-Benz's first all-new designs of the post-war era, debuting in the autumn of 1951. The 300's arrival re-established Mercedes-Benz in the front rank of prestige car manufacturers, marking as it did a return to the marque's tradition of building high-performance luxury automobiles of the finest quality.
Elegantly styled in the pre-war manner yet technologically bang up to date, the 300 S was built to the Stuttgart firm's uncompromising quality standards. Inevitably, production was limited, only 760 examples of the 300 S/ Sc (560/ 200) leaving the factory between 1951 and 1958, of which only 203/ 49 were 300 S/ Sc cabriolets. Ownership of such an exclusive automobile was necessarily restricted to a wealthy few, among them film stars Cary Grant and Gary Cooper, and the Aga Khan. Prohibitively expensive when new, these cars have a dedicated following and, being much rarer than both the 300 SL Gullwing and Roadster, represent a potentially sound investment as well as affording their fortunate owners enjoyable motoring in matchless style.
This Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet was offered for sale by the family of the late Afonso Henriques da Fonseca de Azeredo Malheiro, a prominent Portuguese diplomat. Afonso Malheiro was born in Cambres (Lamego, Portugal) on 9th November 1927. Graduating in Law from the University of Lisbon, he entered the diplomatic service and held positions in several countries around the world including Singapore (1962); Boston, USA (1965) where he was Portuguese Consul; Vienna, Austria (1971) where he was Counsellor to the Portuguese Embassy; and at the Portuguese Embassy in Budapest, Hungary (1976). He was also the Portuguese Ambassador in Montevideo, Uruguay from 1984 to 1989.
The Ambassador bought the Mercedes from a friend of his in Portugal on 27th October 1967, the friend being its first owner. Sadly, there is little by way of documentation with the car, consisting of a service bill; some letters in Portuguese; Portuguese registration papers; and what appears to be either an estimate or a bill for restoration work. Regarding events attended, the Mercedes was exhibited in January 2006 during the opening of the new Mercedes-Benz Portugal dealership in Sintra. Photos of that event are on file.
The unique thing about this car is that, except for a simple outside respray, it is completely in original condition. The interior has a beautiful unique patina and is completely complete. As well as all counters and gauges in the dashboard, which also contains the original Becker Nurburg radio. It offers the new owner the opportunity to keep the car in its original running condition. The engine was recently completely overhauled including clutch and the entire cooling system, including a new radiator and heater radiators, was replaced. Another option is to completely restore the car to concours condition, the choice is yours!
