Lot 58
1956 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Cabriolet
Estimate:
$750,000 - $950,000
Sold for:
$748,000
Timed Auction
Geared Online | October 2020
Category
Vehicles
Description
*Reserve Met | Lot is in the Market*
Chassis No. 188.013.5500007
Engine No. 199.980.5500008
Highlights
One of Just 49 300 Sc Cabriolets Built
Presented in Its Original Factory-Delivered Colors
Major Refurbishment Concluding in 2017 by the Renowned Rudi & Company
Offered with Three Pieces of Original Karl Baisch Fitted Luggage
The Most Expensive and Exclusive Mercedes-Benz of the Era
In September 1955, Mercedes-Benz introduced fuel injection to its flagship model line, the 300 S, resulting in the 300 Sc. Manufactured for less than three years, just 200 examples of the Sc were built, of which 49 were bodied as Cabriolets. The injected Sc cars are easily differentiated from the standard S models by their chromed wheel-well trim, louvered hood sides, and “Einspritzmotor” emblazoned across the rear bumper in chromed block script. The rare and glamorous Sc cars were almost double the price of a 300 SL, and are now recognized as spiritual descendants of the marque’s celebrated prewar K-Series models. The 300 Sc Cabriolet in particular abounds in luxurious hand-built details, as typified by this outstanding example.
The elegant 300 Sc Cabriolet presented here was dispatched to the New York Mercedes-Benz distributorship in early 1956 and, according to a copy of its factory build record, was finished in Dark Brown (DB 423), with a beige leather interior. While little has been documented about its earlier years, in about 2001, the car was discovered in Ohio on the showroom floor of an independent repair shop owned by a marque specialist. Well-known Mercedes-Benz restorer and historian Rudi Koniczek of Victoria, Canada, with his business partner, negotiated the Sc’s purchase via Mercedes-Benz authority Peter Thomas of Arizona. A closer inspection revealed to Mr. Koniczek that, though the color had been changed to cream, the car was a particularly intact example. It showed just over 60,000 miles, and the engine number, stamped on the driver’s side of the block, matched the factory build record.
After years of further conservatorship, the Cabriolet was sold in 2015 to a collector who retained Mr. Koniczek’s shop, Rudi & Company, to perform a major mechanical and cosmetic re-comissioning at a cost of over $345,000 CAD. The work included a bare metal respray in the original dark brown, retrimming of the interior and canvas top, and considerable mechanical work, as necessary, throughout the car. In all, over 1,800 hours of labor were devoted to the refurbishment, which concluded in 2017. The 300 Sc continues to present today as an extremely attractive, driver-quality example.
Accompanied by an owner’s manual and jack, the 300 Sc features three matched pieces of extremely rare factory Karl Baisch fitted luggage. As beautiful and scarce as it is drivable and enjoyable, this hand-built postwar Mercedes-Benz flagship represents the epitome of the Mercedes-Benz marque at a time when cost was no object.
Chassis No. 188.013.5500007
Engine No. 199.980.5500008
Highlights
One of Just 49 300 Sc Cabriolets Built
Presented in Its Original Factory-Delivered Colors
Major Refurbishment Concluding in 2017 by the Renowned Rudi & Company
Offered with Three Pieces of Original Karl Baisch Fitted Luggage
The Most Expensive and Exclusive Mercedes-Benz of the Era
In September 1955, Mercedes-Benz introduced fuel injection to its flagship model line, the 300 S, resulting in the 300 Sc. Manufactured for less than three years, just 200 examples of the Sc were built, of which 49 were bodied as Cabriolets. The injected Sc cars are easily differentiated from the standard S models by their chromed wheel-well trim, louvered hood sides, and “Einspritzmotor” emblazoned across the rear bumper in chromed block script. The rare and glamorous Sc cars were almost double the price of a 300 SL, and are now recognized as spiritual descendants of the marque’s celebrated prewar K-Series models. The 300 Sc Cabriolet in particular abounds in luxurious hand-built details, as typified by this outstanding example.
The elegant 300 Sc Cabriolet presented here was dispatched to the New York Mercedes-Benz distributorship in early 1956 and, according to a copy of its factory build record, was finished in Dark Brown (DB 423), with a beige leather interior. While little has been documented about its earlier years, in about 2001, the car was discovered in Ohio on the showroom floor of an independent repair shop owned by a marque specialist. Well-known Mercedes-Benz restorer and historian Rudi Koniczek of Victoria, Canada, with his business partner, negotiated the Sc’s purchase via Mercedes-Benz authority Peter Thomas of Arizona. A closer inspection revealed to Mr. Koniczek that, though the color had been changed to cream, the car was a particularly intact example. It showed just over 60,000 miles, and the engine number, stamped on the driver’s side of the block, matched the factory build record.
After years of further conservatorship, the Cabriolet was sold in 2015 to a collector who retained Mr. Koniczek’s shop, Rudi & Company, to perform a major mechanical and cosmetic re-comissioning at a cost of over $345,000 CAD. The work included a bare metal respray in the original dark brown, retrimming of the interior and canvas top, and considerable mechanical work, as necessary, throughout the car. In all, over 1,800 hours of labor were devoted to the refurbishment, which concluded in 2017. The 300 Sc continues to present today as an extremely attractive, driver-quality example.
Accompanied by an owner’s manual and jack, the 300 Sc features three matched pieces of extremely rare factory Karl Baisch fitted luggage. As beautiful and scarce as it is drivable and enjoyable, this hand-built postwar Mercedes-Benz flagship represents the epitome of the Mercedes-Benz marque at a time when cost was no object.
