MERCEDES BENZ Typ 300 "Spezial" Landaulet (W189) 1960-1961 Photos, engines & full specs

In 1951, at the first Frankfurt International Motor Show after the WWII, Mercedes-Benz unveiled among other new vehicles the top-of-the-line 300 series. One particularly unit was specially built for a very special customer: The Pope

In 1957, a profoundly revised version of the 300 model was presented, which, technically as well as regarding its exterior, was clearly different from its predecessor. The design number W 189 confirmed a new construction with its own series for the model 300 d.

In 1960, four very special vehicles were built by special order on the basis of the 300 d. One was used as a testing vehicle for the factory. Three of them, Pullman limousine and two Pullman landaulets were built on an elongated chassis with a wheelbase of 3600 mm and with a higher roof. One of the two landaulets was fitted with a single armchair in the rear as an extra feature for and delivered to Pope John XXIII in December 1960. The second landaulet and the Pullman limousine remained in the factory as representation cars to be rented out to the government or other wealthy parties for special events. The fourth was a completely new bodied two-door estate wagon, which was used as a powerful measuring car in the test department for many years.

Despite being a half-convertible, the 300 d Landaulet featured an Artic-Kat air-conditioning unit. Inside, the car-maker installed new seats, with better support for the back of its occupants.

A big improvement was found under the hood, where an inline-six unit was fitted with a Bosch gasoline injection system in the manifold, instead of a classic system with a carburetor. It was fitted with a 3-speed automatic transmission.