This beautiful and comprehensively restored 300Sc is one of only 98 coupes made of this legendary post war Mercedes-Benz fuel-injected model. Having been finished in a stunning deep Burgundy metallic with light tan interior set off by burgundy red piping on the seats, the car is simply stunning in every respect.
Highlights
- Chassis no. 188.014.5500029
- Engine no. 199.980.5500002
- One of only 98 coupe 300Sc examples built
- Burgundy metallic with light tan interior and Burgundy seat piping
- Burled walnut wood dash and trim
- 2-piece original Karl Baisch luggage in the trunk
- Dual spare wheels
- Bosch headlights
- Becker Mexico radio with rare Reims short wave unit
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Bosch mechanical fuel-injection
- Independent front suspension with tube shocks and coil springs
- Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes
- Not shown since completion of restoration
- Comes with copy of factory data card.
History
Following the 300 and 300S, the fuel injected 300Sc debuted in 1955 with an extremely limited production of 98 coupes built through 1957. Notable details of the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz coachwork 300Sc include intricate, hand-formed and fitted panels, ambitious amounts of brightwork done so tastefully it disappears into the elegant lines of the car, luxurious leather upholstery and beautiful wooden interior trim and dash. Capable of comfortable modern highway speeds, the 300Sc Mercedes-Benz was Hermann Ahrens’ spiritual successor to his pre war efforts with the legendary 540k’s and is one of the most elegant post-war designs ever.
This particularly lovely 300Sc coupe was completed on February 10, 1956 and was dispatched a mere 10 days later to New York, USA. As per the copy of the factory build sheet that accompanies the car, the original colors were DB 274 metallic green over cream leather upholstery. This 300Sc’s rear passenger compartment area was originally and is today equipped with a single passenger jump-seat opposing an open storage area capable of storing several small suitcases or a set of golf clubs.
While the earliest owner(s) of this 300Sc coupe remain unknown, the inside cover of the original owners manual accompanying the car is stamped with “Dayton, Ohio”. In the mid-1980’s this car was discovered in Minnesota by model expert and 300S show winning restorer Charles Brahms. Soon after Brahms acquired the car, it was sold to well known Mercedes enthusiast and collector Gary Gallup. Mr. Gallup decided he would store the car with his friend Robin Onsoien of Early Motors, in Nipomo, California. Gallup stored the car with Onsoien with the understanding that Onsoien would eventually perform an extensive restoration on the vehicle .
As with many restoration plans of grandeur, the car spent several decades in the clean, dry storage environment of the central California based Early Motors facility and finally in 2007 a comprehensive restoration process began. Following disassembly of the of the vehicle and its complicated body work, the original panels were extensively prepared and finished in beautiful metallic Burgundy paint. The upholstery was also redone with correct leather hides sourced from Belgium and has been installed accented, elegant Burgundy piping on the seats to really set off the interior against the paint. The interior and exterior chrome was all well completed by the renowned Christensen Plating of Vernon, California. All of the voluminous amount of burled walnut wood has been redone, presenting in factory correct and high quality condition.
Lesco Engines of San Luis Obispo, Ca rebuilt the fuel-injected inline six cylinder engine, with numerous factory model parts being sourced from the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, Ca. Three separate wiring harnesses are enlisted to power the well equipped Sc systems, all three have been redone and reinstalled during the restoration. The engine bay itself has been completely and correctly refinished with the current condition speaking to a very low amount of miles having been put on the car since completion of the extensive restoration.
Today, this superb example of the rare 300Sc coupe is in concours quality condition and has yet to be shown at any event. It comes equipped with a very rare set of Karl Baisch suitcases, dual spare wheels and has unique accenting features such as SL-style alloy-rims on the wheels and Burgundy piping on the interior leather. An incredibly expensive car to restore, the 300Sc is one of the most elegant cars built by the most famous of German automobile manufacturers, and it is Mercedes-Benz rarest post-war production car. Finished in dashing colors and restored to a level fit for the field at any concours worldwide, this 300Sc coupe is a wonderful opportunity to add a significant car to the collection or a great piece to add to an existing stable.
