1960 Mercedes-Benz 300d ‘Adenauer’ Saloon

This left-hand drive example was built in 1960 and the vendor informs us that it was refinished with new paint and retrimmed interior in 2020, although we do not have receipts for this on file. It also boasts a non-original Mercedes-Benz 2.2-litre six-cylinder M127 engine along with a column-change gearbox.

The vendor bought it in Lebanon in 2021 and imported it to the UK in the July of the following year. It is not currently registered in the UK.

The seller finds he’s gradually accumulated a good-sized classic car collection over the years and has decided the time has come to rationalize it, hence the sale of this and the 450SLC we’re also auctioning for him.

The coachwork on the Adenauer is in great shape, all sweeping lines and compound curves, but the red paint really sets it off, doesn’t it?

The lack of B-pillars gives the side profile a clean look too, something the longer, rounded roof of the 300d contributes to. 

It’s got good chrome, too. Shiny and undamaged, there is a little pitting but nowhere near enough to worry about, much less think about having to have it re-chromed or replaced.

The imposing radiator grille is in great shape and is flanked by two good headlamps. In fact, all the lamp lenses are free of damage, as are the windows.

The black 15-inch steel wheels are finished with chrome rims and hubcaps. They’re all in good order too, as are the tyres - and whitewall tyres on a car like this are never wrong, are they? A matching set of 215R15 Blacklion Deftrack are fitted and all look recent and have good tread.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Overall, it is an elegant car that’s elegantly presented.

As for work to do, the new paint does have some love marks from over-enthusiastic polishing but red is one of the easier colours to cut and polish so your chosen valeter shouldn’t have any problem sorting that out.

The leading edge of the bonnet doesn’t fit as well as it might and it has some chips to the paint, so you might like to commission someone to massage that back into alignment before having it refinished or touched up. 

(You might like to get them to look at the flat panel that lies behind the nearside overrider while they’re at it.)

The indicators on the top of the front wings have some water in them too, so you could add sorting that out to your (short) list of jobs.

The tan leather interior is absolutely gorgeous. Clearly undertaken by an expert, the quality of both the hide and the workmanship is beyond reproach.

But it’s not just about the new leather seats and trim because the underlying design is equally striking. Take a look at the main instrument cluster, for example, and the extensive use of chrome for controls and trim. All meld form and function better than almost anything else of the period – and this was not a period known for its design austerity…

There’s a full width slab of wood across the dashboard too, plus a decent  headlining, very good leather-trimmed carpets, and a gorgeous steering wheel.

As for work to do, the wood would benefit from being sanded down and revarnished, the headlining has a small rip in it, the interior light behind the mirror needs fixing back into place, and some of the ends of the leather on the underside of the dashboard could be resolved more neatly.

The steering wheel is a little worn and the chrome on the instrument cluster is jaded. However, both issues could be chalked up to the car’s developing patina and left as it is.

The engine bay hasn’t been detailed, so is presented in a workmanlike condition. That’s fine though because its untouched state will allow you to bring it up to your preferred finish as and when finances and motivation collide.

Incidentally, care was taken to preserve the legibility of the chassis number when the engine bay was painted. We like that.

The 2.2-litre M127 engine that’s currently fitted was used in the W180 ‘Ponton’ cars of 1958-65. It develops between 113 and 134bhp depending on the state of tune, and benefits from Bosch mechanical fuel injection.

NB: The brakes do not work, and we have not tried to run the car on site, so the Mercedes is being sold as a project that will need to be taken away on a trailer or similar. We are also advised that when the gear selector is in 'drive', this is in fact reverse, and vice versa.

The Mercedes doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies… 

Being offered with a guide price of between £15,000 and £18,000, this charming Adenauer offers its new owner an awful lot for their money, not least the refreshed coachwork and retrimmed leather interior allied to a smaller, more economical engine and automatic gearbox.

It does need some work, most notably to the braking system, but the need for this is reflected not only in our estimate but the fact it is being offered with no reserve, so it will sell from the very first bid.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.