Fantasy Junction

Description

1956 Mercedes 300SC Cabriolet

Chassis No. – 188.013.6500055
Engine. no. 199.980.6500115
Exterior Color - Black
Interior Color – Green Leather
Current Kilometers – 84,483 kms

-Preservation grade two-owner example with 67 years current of ownership
-One of 49 built with just 35 known examples surviving today
-Acquired by the first Max Hoffman “US Foreign Agent” for Mercedes-Benz

History of the 300SC

Hand-crafted by specially selected artisans tasked with crafting one of the most expensive and exclusive luxury cars ever conceived, the Mercedes-Benz W188, 300SC represented the ultimate in elegance, stunning design, and uncompromised engineering. Despite having been manufactured more than half a century ago, these rare automobiles continue to capture the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide.



Designed with a glamorous fluid fender line, stately grille, and engineered for premium performance, the engine, suspension, and chassis were directly derived from the iconic 300SL Gullwing. Conceived to meet the highest standards available in automobile production, the 300SC was ideally suited as a specialized premier luxury car for wealthy and influential clientele. Released at just the right time for Mercedes-Benz, the 300SC offered the perfect blend of prestige and performance-derived engineering, with the durability/reliability concurrently developed for their growing volume production lines.

First unveiled at the Paris Salon in 1951, production was intentionally exclusive incorporating artisanal hand labor for each of these impressive luxury cars. In 1955 the SC was upgraded with newly improved Bosch mechanical direct fuel-injection which delivered 173hp at 5400 rpm. Independent front suspension, four-speed manual transmission, tube shocks and coil springs, and larger servo-assisted four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, were among the many state-of-the-art technical features built into each car. Assembled by a cadre of top technicians at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen Karosserie under the direction of Design Chief Hermann Ahrens, the coachwork and finish were legendary, from the hand stitched leather seats to the precise fit of the complex sculpted doors, beautifully polished paint and chrome, including custom-tailored luggage accompanying each car. Every vehicle was obsessively prepared to exhaustingly high standards enhanced by exemplary handwork. Though production was limited, three body styles were available, Coupe, Cabriolet, and Roadster.

In addition to the exclusive nature and rarity, the 300SC was priced at double that of a 300SL Gullwing and shockingly more expensive than a Rolls Royce, making each of these specially built cars limited to the grasp of royalty, Hollywood elite, and industry tycoons such as Aga Khan, Bing Crosby, and Clark Gable to name a few. Contemporary press raved about the comfortable and luxurious interior, exceptional build quality, and remarkable performance, And, while each of these ambassadors of elegance performed a critical role reestablishing Mercedes-Benz as a world automotive brand, production was greatly limited. As technology advanced, features and performance needs shifted, and wealthy customers sought different cars to meet their varying needs, 300SC production concluded in 1957. A mere 49 300SC Cabriolets were built, with only the finest surviving examples available today in preserved original condition.

History of this Mercedes-Benz 300SC Cabriolet

This example has the distinction of being one of the most original 300SC Cabriolets in existence. Purchased in 1959 by Kent Emigh, this 300SC began a 67 year partnership under Emigh’s ownership just as North American Mercedes-Benz dealers were beginning to develop their reputation in the US. Having grown up in rural America maintaining farm machinery for his family farm, Kent Emigh began his career with automobiles establishing “Auto Imports” Indianapolis, IN, his first dealership, in 1952. Although only 24 years old, Emigh captured the attention of Max Hoffman, becoming the first “US foreign agent” importing Mercedes-Benz cars and other European offerings in 1953. Working with special clientele, Emigh would often pick the cars up from New York, visit with prospective customers, and then drive nearly 800 miles returning to Indianapolis as part of his “proving grounds” to learn the operational features, quirks, and mechanical details for each of his cars. 



By 1957, Emigh was regularly traveling to Europe to purchase cars for his clients, cultivating a greater focus on Mercedes-Benz and establishing key relationships with top clientele including many in the sports car and motorsports world. By the 1960s, Emigh sold his dealership and was hired by Mercedes-Benz to build a dealership in San Jose, CA. After concluding the project, Emigh started his own business again, this time naming it “Auto Sport Limited”, located in Palo Alto, CA. Though the location would change over time, ASL would continue to thrive through the ensuing decades. With more than 58 years of dedicated service to Mercedes-Benz, Emigh collected some of the most desirable European cars including a handful of 300SCs. Though he had his pick of many cars, the subject car here would remain his favorite in a collection that included Gullwings, Porsches, and numerous other rare cars.

Emigh purchased this 300SC in 1959 after making several trips to Germany seeking the very best example he could find for his personal collection. After three trips logging over 29,000 air miles, Emigh located the original owner of this 300SC Cabriolet and purchased it on the spot. When the car arrived, it was in exceptional cosmetic condition. The running condition however was not to his standards. As he writes in his notes, it appeared that the owner had not followed the break-in period. Given his mechanical skills, Emigh carefully dismantled the engine and replaced the pistons with machine work provided by one of the best Indy 500 machinists available at that time. In 1970, he recalibrated the camshaft and injection pump for better performance, Over the years, Emigh and his family have maintained this car with a preservation-focused approach servicing all mechanical systems as needed, while retaining the original finishes and components to a high standard. Copies of handwritten notes document decades of mechanical attention with later year services such as rebuilding the fuel-injection system in 2005, a new clutch and pressure plate alignment, rebuilding the gearbox, seals and mounts in 2006, milling exhaust manifolds and replacing exhaust gaskets in 2007, exhaust pipe and muffler work in 2008, engine mounts in 2009, all new factory mufflers installed in 2014, and in 2015 the 3rd and 4th synchro hubs, synchro rings, and bushings were replaced. In preparation for consignment, the oil has been changed, differential and gearbox oil checked, chassis lubed, and a brake hose replaced.

Current Condition and Presentation

Today this beautifully preserved 300SC presents as a stunning example, with the added provenance of being one of the most original examples on the market today. Rarely seen in Cabriolet configuration, the majesty of this car lives up to the sporting history with the top down and yet elegantly refined with the top up. The glossy black paint is largely original and still maintains wonderful depth and superb reflections, though small portions of the paint have been blended in and touched up, and minor areas show age consistent with a 70 year old factory finish. The panel fit is exemplary for both the hood and trunk, and the beautifully contoured doors open and shut with satisfying precision. The body to fender bead lines, body trim, and perimeter trim are precise and original to the car. The chrome, nearly all of which is believed to be original, is in very good condition, with good luster considering the age, and excellent fit. The upright grill shell is in excellent condition, including the distinctive square grid grille mesh and hood ornament. The rear bumper displays “Einspritzmotor”, declaring the very same fuel-injected engines that once roared to victory at Nurburgring and dominated the Autobahn. Throughout the car, the lenses, lighting, and glass are in excellent condition including correct road lamps, original Sekurit brand-etched glass, and sweeping single pane windshield. The car wears a set of original chrome plated steel wheels with beautifully polished domed hubcaps painted to match the elegant black exterior. The cabriolet top is in excellent condition with taut fit to the windshield header and smooth operating chrome plated landau bars.


The interior is a gorgeous example of Mercedes-Benz quality, displaying very well-preserved features and remarkably original factory finishes. The original dark green leather surfaces have been preserved and now feature a gently relaxed appearance enjoyed over time and long-term enthusiast care. The leather seating surfaces combine with the warm wood tones on the dashboard and door caps, which display delightfully aged original craquelure lacquer, emulating the finish of a fine renaissance painting. The stunning dashboard includes a central speedometer, dual Heuer rally watches, an original Becker Mexico radio, beautifully detailed chrome switches and knobs, and expansive wood finishes. The dashboard is remarkably nice with clean, clear gauges, unified presentation, and a gently aged ivory rimmed steering wheel. The trunk is outfitted with a set of matching custom fitted leather luggage still retaining the original factory material which is in excellent condition. Inside the trunk, a full-sized spare tire is mounted on a chrome wheel and held in place with a leather strap. The trunk also contains the original factory jack, tools and tool roll, along with the original Hamburg license plates.


The engine compartment and matching-numbers original engine is in excellent condition and properly presented with correct parts, correct intake system, fuel-injection, and accurate factory components. As evidenced by the multiple pages of handwritten service notes, a great deal of attention has been regularly lavished over the past 67 years of current family ownership not only to the major components but to regular fluid changes, hoses, lines, and electrical features all while maintaining the quality and originality of this fine 300SC. The matching numbers engine and correctly detailed engine compartment are impressive, cohesive, and properly finished; a difficult if not nearly impossible challenge given the rarity and precision quality of these mechanical parts, many of which, over the years, have been sacrificed to serve the iconic 300SL Gullwing. Inspection of the underside reveals a car that has been properly serviced and regularly cared for. Components are dry, clean, and unrestored, boasting originality and preservation. The unrestored original floor pan, trunk floor, and undercarriage are solid and straight, showing no evidence of structural compromise and no visible signs of corrosion.


The car starts easily and idles smoothly. Although regular use by the family owners has been limited in recent years, this 300SC has always benefited from proper care and regular mechanical attention. Once warmed up and underway, the driving experience is both impressive and commanding. Ride engineering, braking, and comfortable suspension are hallmarks of Mercedes-Benz excellence, especially when one considers how contemporary vehicles of this era persisted in using solid axles and leaf springs. With the cabriolet top and side glass down, the cabin is spacious, welcoming passengers with ample luggage space ideal for club tours and motoring events.


This is a wonderful opportunity to acquire one of the most important preserved original matching-numbers Mercedes-Benz 300SC Cabriolets available today. One of 49 built with fewer examples remaining in such fine condition, this preservation grade 300SC Cabriolet is poised to participate in any premier Mercedes-Benz classic event, concours, or road tour. Powered by the same engine from the 300SL Gullwing, the performance and design excellence of this 300SC is seamlessly fused with timeless hand-crafting and motoring elegance proudly achieved during this unprecedented era of automobile design.

Items Included with this 300SC Cabriolet

This 300SC is accompanied by previous service documentation, a full-sized spare tire, a factory jack, tools and tool roll, a car cover, battery tender, a dash mounted clock, numerous bins of assorted spare parts, a spare cylinder head and camshaft, spare engine gaskets, two factory workshop manuals, owner’s manuals, service manual, and a binder filled with service history records.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608