Mercedes-Benz W186

Mercedes-Benz 300
Mercedes-Benz 300 (W186)
Overview
Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
Production	1951–1957 12,190 built[1] W186 Saloon: 7,646 W186 Cabriolet D: 642
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size luxury car
Body style	4-door saloon 4-door phaeton 4-door cabriolet 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout
Platform	Mercedes-Benz W186
Doors	4
Related	Mercedes-Benz 300 S, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Powertrain
Engine	2996 cc M186 SOHC I6
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	W186: 3,050 mm (120.1 in)
Length	W186: 4,950 mm (194.9 in)
Width	W186: 1,840 mm (72.4 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz 770 (wartime)
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W189

The Mercedes-Benz W186 Model 300 was 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 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 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^[2] and Bentley S1. 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, hardtop saloon, and 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,^[3] 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.