Very VIP: ’57 Mercedes-Benz 300c Special Order
The 4-door model 300, had its launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951. It featured elegant modernist bodywork atop Mercedes’ proven X-frame chassis. The 300 was powered by an all new 3.0 litre overhead cam, aluminum head straight 6 coupled to a 4-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. The 6-passenger 300 was available both as a sedan or cabriolet. The 300’s frame was made of ovoid steel tubes, with a double wishbone, coil spring axle and stabilizer bar up front and Mercedes’ typical double coil spring rear swing axle. There were very few alternatives if you wanted the best. Today’s stunning 300c has more history than most. It was built in 1957 for Luis Anastasio Somoza Debayle, the President (or dictator depending on who you ask) of Nicaragua. It was special ordered with security equipment, “refrigeration” (A/C), siren, blue lamp and radiophone. It is not armoured. Much of the car appears original and in immaculate state of preservation. The 300c has an amazing amount of paperwork including a letter from the factory chronically the history. There is also photographic documentation showing the 300c shuttling visiting heads of state around Managua. Cars with this much history in addition to being a desirable, rare car, don’t come to market often. The car is being offered by one of our favorite sellers in California. The asking price is $195,000. Considering Elvis’ Mercedes 600 sold for $132,000 a few years back, maybe this price isn’t far off. Click here to see more photos. (you have to navigate the site to get to the correct page. Start by clicking on the Mercedes (5) link, then scroll down to the 300c).
I must respectfully disagree on this one, Mike, the King’s provenance by far outweighs that of a two-bit dictator!!!!
All the best, and love your website!!
David