・Comprehensively restored

・Rare RHD example

・Over 40K spent over the last 20 years

・Recently repainted

Any flagship model from a reputable brand is deserving of recognition, but when it comes to Mercedes-Benz, there's always something unique in the works. When the W186 300 was introduced in 1951, it was positioned as a direct competitor to the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, but it provided much more in terms of performance and technological innovation. Custom built by Mercedes-Benz's most skilled craftsmen, the 300 was luxuriously decorated and trimmed with materials of the highest quality. The standard ownership profile of these cars was likely to be those from the government, royalty, or the silver screen, appealing to buyers with deep pockets. Some versions were known to feature ostentatious fittings such as dividing partitions, sirens or even writing desks, but the 300 was more than a smooth and comfortable mobile drawing-room. The brand's forward-thinking nature gave it a distinct appeal as a driver's car. The chassis, suspension and engine were shared with the iconic 300 SL Gullwing car, thus demonstrating Adenauer's unique talent. 

Named after the first Chancellor of West Germany, this Adenauer comes with a fascinating and detailed history file, covering photographic evidence of body and engine restoration, OEM documentation of the cars build spec options, DVLA and personal data relating to previous owners, as well as in the excess of £50,000 worth of invoices. The car was first ordered for sale in Kenya in 1956, then shipped to the United Kingdom, where it has undergone many extensive overhauls, renewals, and rebuilds since then. The result is a beautifully finished example of a rare right-hand drive car, benefiting from regular mechanical attention and a recent high-quality respray.

One of the key features to this car is the volume of provenance that comes with it. Previous owners have retained much of its restoration and maintenance paperwork but also have gone out of their way to research the car's history. There are also records from the Daimler-Benz Classic Archives which not only lists the ‘Datacard’ which documents the original list of options with the car but also adds a fascinating insight into the cars early life. The Datacard suggests that the car was originally specified with MB229 Green paint, with E4 ‘Tex-leather’ trim when new. Additional special fittings include a factory fitted right-hand steering, English instruments, front and rear bumpers with over-riders and specific parts for operations at altitudes greater than 2000m high. It was shipped in a crate directly from the factory, with instructions to be dispatched to Dobie & Co in Nairobi, British East Africa (now Kenya) in 1954. Dobie & Co still exist as importers of cars having been founded in 1949 as the main Mercedes-Benz franchise for East Africa. It’s not documented when the car was brought into the UK but the earliest evidence of its use in the UK is dates from 1983. The car underwent a series of rebuilds and paint work in the '80s and then likely to have been sold to a London registered business in 1990. The car then headed west to Gloucestershire and then down to Norfolk towards the end of the ‘90s. It had been issued with a Suffix ‘A’ registration plate until 1992 and then issued with several private plates. Tracking back through the paperwork, old MOTS and receipts, there is plenty of evidence to support the car low usage, showing that it has covered around 12,000 miles over the last 40 or so years. The car is being sold by a reputable Classic car dealer in the heart of the New Forest, having spent the previous 7 years in the Berkshire area. The car had been painted black at some point in the past, then resprayed blue, until it was recently brought back to black on request of a potential new Maltese owner but then decided against taking on the car due to the pandemic. As a result, the car is now being placed for sale. 

The car also has documentation and paperwork from its last six owners, having seen 8 recorded owners since 1956. The first documented section of the car's history starts in 1983, with the car being registered to an owner in the North East. It appears that it underwent a renovation with photographic evidence of a full body and engine restoration in the mid to late ‘80s. The engine was completely overhauled, stripped down and rebuilt in 1986 at a cost of £3,300. Each component has been listed in the German invoice, which might suggest that the car may have actually been shipped out and restored in Germany by F. Schneider GMBH. There are also detailed invoices to documenting that the car also underwent further electrical, body and paintwork at the same location in 1989. It was then subjected to another series of renovations, including the overhaul of brakes, suspension, engine parts, steering as well as the important chassis lubrication and servicing, amounting to at least 2.5K. Having then been passed on to the last documented owner, he then spent in the region of 30K on the car. This bill included door seals, engine work, brake overhauls and glass refitting. 

As a car that could accommodate six people, it was also created as a statement of wealth and it retains that decadent interior. The door leather inserts are in excellent condition, with the burled walnut still looking good but might benefit a little refurb. The seats, considering the grand age of this car, have stood up rather well. The driver's seat has minor damage to the piping, but overall the leather is in good condition with just the expected wear and the odd blemish. The carpets and mats are in good order, with evidence that they are likely to be more recent fittings. Other interior furnishings such as the footplates are in very good condition. The headlining is in excellent condition too. The boot is in good order, with no issues with the trim, with typical signs of light use.

The Burled Walnut dashboard has worn the years well, with no significant damage observed on the wood facia. The tastefully executed chrome detailing and leather padding have a pleasing patina that suits the ambience of the cabin. The original Becker radio has been replaced with a more recent Blaupunkt AM/FM unit but isn’t an eyesore. The delightfully designed controls and switches are all said to function and the gauges are all working too. The ivory steering wheel appears to be original and displays expected wear but is the finishing touch to a classy facia.

The car maintains a somewhat regal presence due to its splendid black paintwork, instilling dignity and appeal. The condition of the external metal is very good, with no notable impediments, dents or damage observed. The doors open and close with no issues and hang off the hinges with no strain. The panels are flush throughout with even and equal panel gaps suggesting a high-level restoration. The underside of the body is structurally good, with no issues regarding damage or significant corrosion. The chassis is similarly straight with no problems of note. The engine bay, inner wings and bulkhead are solid. The boot well is solid, with minor surface corrosion being observed in places, most noticeably on the inside of the near-side lower boot aperture by the spare wheel well. The paint job has been completed to a high standard, with no noticeable reference to the cars previous colour. The paint has been well applied, with even coverage and a very good lustre throughout. There are no swirls or scratches and additionally there are no signs of overspray or poor masking. 

The chrome work has been subjected to extensive renewal and replacement in the past, with the key items such as bumpers, front wing embellishments, radiator grill housing and body trim in very good condition. Some of the higher-level trim, such as the side glass finishers and gutter show minor signs of light pitting and perhaps worth considering for a future low-priority job. The windscreen and back window chrome trim are in very good shape. The glass is in good condition with no significant signs of damage, some of the glass rubber shows evidence of ageing but certainly not in need of attention. The door rubbers are very good and seal the car well. The wheels are in good condition, with the paint matching the body colour which was presumably painted at the same time. The chrome wheel trims will be part of the sale too, all of which are in good condition. The American Bedford Whitewall tyres have plenty of tread left and appear to be well within the legal limits. The chrome hubcaps are in good condition with limited signs of road use. The headlamps, indicators and tail lights are in good condition with no damage, although the chrome of the taillights does show little signs of age.

Mechanically the M186 3-litre straight-six OHV shows no issues upon start up, with the engine firing up with no hesitation and a strong spark. The car reached temperature with no drama. Once warm, the engine ticks over nicely, with no knocking or problematic noises. The engines were remarkably sophisticated for the era, offering thermostatically controlled oil cooling and copper-lead bearings, and its physical condition betrays its age. The exhaust is in good condition and functions well without blowing, with a little soot observed when cold but soon dissipated. The car is said not to leak any fluids. The column change automatic gearbox functions well, with no slippage or issues while in use. The hill holder brake works well with the hydraulic drum brakes operation in line with a car of this age, but still effective with no binding or noises. The steering was surprisingly light for a car of this bulk and emitted no knocks or strain while in operation. The suspension did not present any issues, with the damping acting in near silence.

This early example of the Adenauer has seen an impressive amount of work over its lifetime, with each owner embarking on a duty of care to ensure it is kept in the highest possible condition. Thanks to that consistent spending and maintenance over the decades, the car continues to show off its performance, detailed finish and lavish equipment in a roomy practical design. The very definition of understated excellence all in one package, the Adenauer sense of occasion with a drivetrain that is more than capable of dealing with modern driving conditions makes it very appeal proposition for those seeking comfort, style and a little verve.