View source for Mercedes-Benz W186

{{Short description|Motor vehicle}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Mercedes-Benz 300
| image = Mercedes Benz 300 Limousine front 20110611.jpg
| caption = Mercedes-Benz 300 (W186)
| manufacturer = [[Mercedes-Benz]]
| aka = 
| production = 1951–1957 <br/> 12,190 built{{sfn|Deutsche Autos, Band 4,|2001}} <br/> W186 Saloon: 7,646 <br/> W186 Cabriolet D: 642
| assembly = 
| designer = 
| class = [[Full-size]] [[luxury car]]
| body_style = 4-door [[Saloon (car)|saloon]] <br/> 4-door [[Phaeton body|phaeton]] <br/> 4-door [[Cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]] <br/>4-door [[limousine]]
| platform = Mercedes-Benz W186
| related = [[Mercedes-Benz W188|Mercedes-Benz 300 S]], [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SL]]
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| engine = 2996 cc ''[[Mercedes-Benz M186 engine|M186]]'' [[SOHC]] [[Straight-6 engine|I6]]
| transmission = 4-speed manual <br/> 3-speed automatic
| wheelbase = W186: {{convert|3050|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = W186: {{convert|4950|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = W186: {{convert|1840|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| predecessor = [[Mercedes-Benz 770]] (wartime)
| successor = [[Mercedes-Benz W189]]
| doors = 4
}}

The '''Mercedes-Benz W186''' Model 300 is a four-door luxury sedan produced by [[Mercedes-Benz]] between 1951 and 1957. It was the company's flagship model at the time, succeeding the [[World War II]] era [[Mercedes-Benz 770|W150]]. Three versions were produced in succession, known informally as the 300a (or simply 300), 300b, and 300c. An enlarged "300d" variant built on the [[Mercedes-Benz W189|W189]] chassis succeeded it in late 1957.

Also referred to as a "Type 300", the W186 was equal in features and price but superior in performance to the rival [[Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud]]<ref name="Classic">Classic and Sportscar Magazine, February 1994, Pp. 52-55</ref> and [[Bentley S1]].<!--Please don't add the BMW 501 the 501 and 502 it Competed more against the Mercedes-Benz W187, W105, W191 and W121 Due to size, luxury and price range the BMW 501 was Mid size, affordable, and sporty than luxury--> Favored by statesmen and business leaders, it offered options such as a glass partition, [[VHF]] mobile telephone, and [[dictation machine]].

The W186 is often identified as an '''Adenauer''' after [[Konrad Adenauer]], the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany ([[West Germany]]), who employed six custom [[Cabriolet (automobile)|cabriolet]], [[hardtop]] [[saloon (car)|saloon]], and [[Landaulet (car)|landaulet]] versions of the W186 and its successor W189 during his 1949-1963 tenure.  Among the custom features in these "parade cars" were writing desks, sirens, curtains, dividing partitions, sunroofs, and half-roof "landaulet" configurations.

Technologically advanced,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/buy-mercedes-benz-300.htm |title = Mercedes Benz 300 {{!}} Buy & Sell {{!}} Beverly Hills Car Club}}</ref> the 300 was regarded as a "driver's" car, sharing numerous design innovations and mechanical components with the iconic [[Mercedes-Benz 300 SL]] "Gullwing", including engine, suspension, and chassis.

==Models==
===300===
The four-door 300 (W186) was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in April 1951 and entered series production in November 1951.{{sfn|Deutsche Autos, Band 4,|2001}} It had no "a" designation, which was informally added, along with the "b" and "c", by later enthusiasts seeking to distinguish the three W186 generations.

Available as both a saloon and cabriolet, it featured graceful modernist bodywork atop Mercedes' proven X-frame chassis.  An all new 3.0&nbsp;L (2996&nbsp;cc/182&nbsp;in³) overhead cam, aluminum head [[Mercedes-Benz M186 engine|M186]] [[straight-6]] was coupled to a 4-speed all-synchromesh manual gearbox. Twin downdraft [[Solex Carburetor|Solex]] carburetors and an innovative diagonal head-to-block joint that allowed for oversized intake and exhaust valves produced {{convert|115|PS|kW hp||abbr=on}} at a 6.4:1 compression ratio.

[[File:Mercedes-Benz_300_Cabriolet_Adenauer_(4344576658).jpg|thumb|left|The W186 cabriolet displays the series' streamlined rear lines]]
Designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use, the engine featured deep water jackets, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, [[Leaded copper|copper-lead]] bearings and a hardened crankshaft. With no natural cruising speed, the car could sustain anything up to its maximum speed all day, road conditions permitting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.silverstarrestorations.com/300_con_sedan.htm |title=300 300b 300c 300d Convertible Sedan 1951-1962 |publisher=Silverstarrestorations.com |access-date=2010-10-01}}</ref>

The&nbsp;combination of a rigid X-shaped ovoid steel tube frame and four-wheel [[independent suspension]] provided surprisingly nimble handling.  [[Double wishbone]]s, [[coil spring]]s, and a [[Anti-roll bar|stabilizer bar]] were used up front and Mercedes' typical double coil spring [[swing axle]] in rear.  An innovative dashboard-operated rear load-leveling suspension engaged a [[torsion bar]] to increase stiffness by one-third when needed, and a pedal-operated central lubrication system kept friction points silent.<ref name="Classic"/> Brakes were hydraulic drum all around, steering worm-and-sector, replaced in 1952 by  [[recirculating ball]].

A total of 6,214 saloons and 591 ''Cabriolet Ds'', retroactively referred to as the "300a" series, were produced through September, 1955, including a brief 300b run incorporating elements of the 300c's partial facelift prior to its debut.

===300b===
The '''300b''' (W186) was introduced in March 1954, adding vacuum assisted power brakes and front door vent windows.  Engine power was upped to {{convert|125|PS|kW hp||abbr=on}} via different Solex carburetors and an increased compression ratio of 7.5:1.

===300c===
The '''300c''' (W186) made its debut in September, 1955, adding a larger rear window and optional  3-speed [[Borg-Warner 35 transmission|Borg-Warner automatic transmission]]. It was priced at $10,864 in the United States (DM 22,000 on the home market), with the convertible almost a third more at $14,231 (DM 24,700).

A special '''Innenlenker''' [[limousine]] (also called the '''Type 300 Lang''') with on a 20&nbsp;cm (7.9&nbsp;in) longer [[wheelbase]] became available from July, 1956, priced at DM 25,000.

A total of 1,432 300c saloons were produced through July, 1957. Only 51 300c series Cabriolet D's were built through June 1956, when the model was dropped.

== Successor ==
[[File:Mercedes 300 d 1958 1 m.jpg|thumb|The limousine-length Mercedes-Benz [[Mercedes-Benz W189|300d]] (W189) was introduced in 1957]]

===300d (W189)===
{{main|Mercedes-Benz W189}}
The 300c was succeeded by a limousine-length "[[Mercedes-Benz W189|300d]]" (W189) in 1957. It featured sweeping changes that included revised bodywork, [[gasoline direct injection|fuel injection]], and unique [[hardtop]] configuration transforming it into a pillarless [[Phaeton body|phaeton]].

==See also==
* [[Mercedes-Benz W188#300 S|Mercedes-Benz 300 S]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Reflist}}
 5.[https://www.vintagecarcollector.com/vehicles/2105/1982-mercedes-benz-300-cd-2dr-turbodiesel-coupe Buy Mercedes Benz 300]

===Bibliography===
<!-- last updated October 2021 -->
{{refbegin}}
* {{Barrett-IBG-MB-2}}
* {{Brooklands-MBRT52}}
* {{Hartmann-GMBCB}}
* {{MB-Typenkunde-3}}
* {{cite book |last1=Koehling |first1=Bernd S. |title=Mercedes-Benz: Everything you want to know about the 300 and 300S: From the 300 Sedan to the 300Sc Cabriolet |date=2021 |publisher=Independently published |isbn=9798723506695}}
* {{Larimer-MBBG}}
* {{Niemann-PvMB}}
* {{Nitske-MB PMB 1946-95}}
* {{Deutsche Autos-4}}
* {{MBPersonenwagen-2 |author-mask=7}}
* {{Typenkompass MB-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Sacardi |first1=Cajetan |title=Mercedes-Benz 300 & 600: Staatslimousinen 1951–1981 |trans-title=Mercedes-Benz 300 & 600: State Limousines 1951–1981 |series=Schrader-Typen-Chronik series |date=2013 |publisher=Motorbuch Verlag |location=Stuttgart |isbn=9783613035324 |language=de}}
* {{Schlegelmilch-M-2013}}
* {{Taylor-MB since 1945-1}}
* {{cite book |last1=Wiedmaier |first1=Michael |title=Mercedes-Benz 300: Mythos in vier Generationen |trans-title=Mercedes-Benz 300: Myth in Four Generations |series=WKP-Edition Klassik series |date=2004 |publisher=WKP-Verlag |location=Freilassing |isbn=3980727130 |language=de}}
* {{cite book |last1=Zeichner |first1=Walter |title=Mercedes Benz 300: 1951-1962 – Sedans, Coupes, Cabiolets |series=Schiffer Automotive Series |date=1990 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing |location=West Chester, PA, USA |isbn=0887402496}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.philseed.com/mb300s-w188.html|title=300 S (W188)|work=Phil Seed's Virtual Car Museum|access-date=December 1, 2005}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.philseed.com/mb300-w186.html|title=300 (W186, W189)|work=Phil Seed's Virtual Car Museum|access-date=December 1, 2005}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.mbzponton.org/valueadded/other/adenauer.htm|title=Mercedes-Benz Type 300 Adenauer|work=MBZPonton.Org|access-date=December 1, 2005}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}

{{Classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles}}
{{Mercedes-Benz S-Class lineage}}

[[Category:Mercedes-Benz model codes|W186]]