A meticulously restored 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300C — timeless elegance with the rare sliding roof that invites the world in. Classic luxury, reimagined.
Overview
SBX Cars is proud to offer for sale this 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300C saloon showing 28,709 miles at the time of this cataloging. Finished in black over a saddle leather interior, this W186 is offered with manuals and restoration documentation by a private seller in Dubai.
The opulent four-door W186 luxury sedan was first unveiled to the world at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1951 and it went on to serve as Mercedes’ flagship model throughout the mid-1950s. The car was aimed at business leaders and the affluent members of society, offering advanced features for its time and competing with the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce. According to data compiled by the seller and vetted by Mercedes’ product archives in Stuttgart, 1,367 total W186 units were assembled. Of those, an estimated 700 or fewer were assembled as model type “187.017” with a sliding cloth sunroof.
This surviving original W186 saloon came factory-equipped with that rare option. The car was acquired by the current owner in 2009 and subsequently treated to a comprehensive frame-off restoration between 2013 and 2014. Since 2019, it has received work to the carburetors and brake booster. And today, it is mechanically sorted and is regularly seen driving on the roads of Dubai with confidence.
To a Mercedes-Benz enthusiast or collector, this W186 reflects one of the pinnacles of the brand’s achievements from about 70 years ago – one that still evokes prestige today. This classic, restored German executive sedan is now ready to turn heads at a parade or a concours event near you.
Specifications & Options
Exterior
- Black paint
- Frame-off restoration
- Chrome bumpers with overriders
- Chrome radiator shell and ornament
- Auxiliary driving lamps
- Fender top-mounted marker lamps
- Driver side mirror
- Antenna
- Schiebedach black soft sliding sunroof
- Stainless-steel body side and rocker moldings
- Single exhaust outlet
- 15-inch chrome wheels
- 215/75 Windforce Primetour tires
Interior
- Saddle leather upholstery
- Manual-crank windows
- Vent windows
- Becker Mexico radio
- Clock
- Heater
- Wood trim
- Mercedes-Benz Karosserie placards
- Rear seat center armrest
- Trunk-mounted spare tire with jack
- VDO-branded gauges
- 110-mph speedometer
- Oil pressure
- Coolant temperature
- Fuel level
- Voltage
Mechanical
- M186 2,996cc SOHC inline-six
- Reportedly numbers-matching
- Two valves per cylinder
- Twin Solex carburetors
- 85mm bore and 88mm stroke
- Rated at about 136 horsepower
- Rated at about 144 lb-ft of torque
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Numbers-matching
- Independent front suspension
- Coil-sprung swing-axle rear
- Four-wheel vacuum-assisted drum brakes
Service History
According to the data tag, the car was manufactured on March 6, 1956. The seller notes that the vehicle is driven and maintained on a regular basis in Dubai.
Mechanical work under current ownership has included:
- Full inspection in 2020
- Refurbishment of original brake booster and carburetors in 2019
- Replacement of all-new rubber components in chassis and suspension during restoration in 2014
Condition & Reports
The seller has provided a photo gallery and a series of videos for buyer review and scrutiny. The photos show phases of the frame-off restoration process, including the body, undercarriage, interior, engine compartment, engine internals, and trunk. The underbody received new chassis side frames, sanding, welding repairs, and paint during restoration as shown in the images.
Per the seller, German automotive expert, Eigen vom Scheidt, restored the original carburetor & brake booster. The seller can connect the buyer with experts in both Germany and Dubai.
Included in the Sale
- Parts manual
- CD-based service manual
- Email correspondence from Daimler AG Product Archives
Summary
This executive German saloon is a mechanically-sorted status symbol that is ready for high-class motoring straight away. The 300 series was a top-of-the-line flagship for its time, favored by dignitaries and the elite. In the modern collector-car landscape, the W186’s rarity and desirability make it an attractive investment for anyone who appreciates rich history and impressive build quality. Bid with confidence on a car that was painstakingly restored to its original specifications.
As part of the consignment process, SBX Cars requests a range of information from the seller pertaining to the subject of their offering. The auction listing description therefore is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. However, it is the responsibility of a potential buyer to satisfy themself as to the accuracy of the auction listing description. This includes conducting an in-person inspection, which may be arranged between the buyer and seller, as well as verifying the condition, authenticity, value, and title before committing to bid or buy. Please see our Terms of Service for full details.
Buyer's Premium
The Buyer’s Premium will be added to the final sale price and is payable directly to SBX Cars. Sales tax applicability will be determined by buyer's location.
- Buyer's premium: 5%
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