MERCEDES BENZ Typ 300 Coupe (W188) 1952-1958 Photos, engines & full specs

In the early '50s, Europe was coming back from the debris left by WWII, and, despite anyone's beliefs, Mercedes-Benz introduced the stunning luxurious 300 Coupe at the 1951 Paris Motor Show.

After the war, Mercedes-Benz started to build vehicles mainly for commercial vehicles, taxi companies, police, and authorities. In late 1951, though, it launched the luxurious 300 lineup, followed by the Coupe version in the same year, with sales in 1952.

While the era of wide fenders and narrow engine compartments started to fade away, the German carmaker still relied on that design language when it made the 300 Coupe. When compared to pre-war vehicles, one big difference was that the round headlights were integrated into the fenders instead of placing them on separate struts. In addition, the tall, V-shaped grille sported chromed trims and surroundings that gave the car a commanding presence on the roads. From its sides, the fenders were extended onto the front door panels above the side steps. An additional chromed strip was stretched along with the bodywork toward the rear, enlarged above the wheels, quarter panels. At the back, the trunk featured a lid, and the spare wheel was placed inside.

The cabin was fit for two persons, and it was a true luxury coupe. Thanks to the gear selector mounted on the steering column, there was a free passage from left to right. Also, unlike many pre-war vehicles, the 300 Coupe featured the instrument panel in front of the driver, mounted on the wood-finished dashboard.

Under the hood, Mercedes-Benz installed its famous three-liter inline-six in two versions: a naturally aspirated and a supercharged one. Both were mated to a four-speed manual.