1959 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

300d Sedan

6 - Cyl.

Automatic

189010125900126

Gasoline

Model 300dFor those who have not yet driven a 300d, you should know it is a very user-friendly car. It is very easy and comfortable to get in and out of the car. The chassis is high enough, the seats are positioned well, and there is ample headroom for a driver of 6' 4". It is equally at home on the highway and running errands, and with generously assisted power steering a la 1950s, parallel parking is easy and road handling is effortless. Visibility out of the 300d is excellent in all directions. When the windows are all lowered on this pillar-less sedan, it is a veritable panoramic, cinematic experience to be driving it. It is a great pleasure. HistoryPurchased new, this 300d was in the same family for three generations, in the northeastern United States. It has not been processed for sale, and most everything on the car is original and working well. The odometer indicates 91,602 miles. I believe the car was stored indoors out of the sunlight. It suffered several minor fender benders in the early years. These were competently repaired, but the paint work could have been better. The car appears not to have ever been crashed. It is still a fantastically good-looking car, as the photos attest. Over my six years of ownership, the car has been carefully vetted for reliability. 400 hours of effort at Brooklyn Motoren Werke, Inc., has yielded a car that starts and stops well, and behaves predictably. I have driven the car about 10,000 miles in the summer months, and the last two years have been trouble-free. The car runs reliably and safely. This is not a vehicle that needs to be treated gingerly or placed on a pedestal. It is a "runner", and should you win this auction, you should seriously consider driving it home. EngineThe engine has been thoroughly serviced and starts readily. Oil pressure pegs above 1600 rpm. At hot idle, the oil pressure is about 15 psi with 15W50 engine oil in the crankcase. Timing chain stretch is nominal. The valves have been routinely adjusted. It has new drive belts, a new Bosch red coil, and new motor mounts. All has been tended to on a regular basis. Automatic TransmissionThe car's original factory Borg-Warner DG-150 automatic transmission works remarkably well, and has been carefully tuned to the car. It starts out in first gear with partial throttle. This shift-on-demand transmission engages well in all three forward gears and reverse. The transmission filter has been cleaned and fluid changed frequently, including the torque converter. The transmission is quiet and does not leak. BrakesThe 300d came from the factory with the same vacuum-boosted, 4-wheel drum brake system as the 300SL/Roadster. This heavy-duty brake system stops this vehicle reliably, powerfully, and predictably. The entire braking system has been overhauled, including a new master brake cylinder, new front and rear brake hoses, hydraulic cylinders sleeved in stainless steel, a rebuilt ATE T-50 brake booster, and fresh brake shoe linings. The parking brakes are working well. The brakes do not pull and are quiet in operation. Steering & Front EndThe highly assisted power steering is calm and responsive, and the pump has been resealed. The front wheel bearings are new and packed with MB high temperature wheel bearing grease. The tie rod ends are in good condition, the intermediate steering arm bushing has been replaced, and the flexible steering coupling disc is new. The front anti-sway bar inboard and end link bushings have been replaced with "poly" bushings, as were the rear trailing link bushings, for better handling control. This car rolls effortlessly and straight down the road. Fuel SystemThe fuel system has been attended to as well. The fuel tank was taken out, cleaned, and flushed. The steel fuel lines were cleared internally, and the fuel filters have been changed several times. All of the fuel hoses have been renewed. The tank-mounted fuel sender has been replaced. Most importantly, the upright auxiliary electric fuel pump has been replaced with a new, continuously running, contemporary Bosch electric fuel pump. In addition, a hot-start assist arrangement has been installed to help overcome the vapor locking commonly caused by modern fuels with ethanol additives. Cooling & Heating SystemThe radiator has been cleaned and pressure tested. All heating and cooling system hoses have been replaced along with new hose clamps. Even in seriously warm weather the cooling system maintains an even 180 F. Electrical SystemA rebuilt starter has been installed. The generator was serviced, and a new generator wiring harness installed. The charging system works well with a maximum of 13.6 V rate. Lights, instruments, and gauges work. The fuel gauge is responsive and shows every variation as fuel sloshes in the tank. The amp gauge is not operational. InteriorThe car has its original bone-colored carpets, and these are in remarkably good condition. They have shrunken slightly over the years, but they are clean. The gray-beige leather interior is also original. It does show some wear after 50 years, but is still respectable and pleasant. The interior wooden trim is original and still attractive, without any lifting veneer or other attacks. ExteriorThis car does have some rust in the usual places often found on the 300d model, such as at the box channel under the right side rocker panel, above the headlights, and above the air induction openings at the lower front fenders. There is also an area of paint checking at the right rear below the rear window. Since this is a car with a frame, safety and stability are not affected. Beyond that, the sheet metal is not consumed with deterioration. The car appears never to have been completely repainted, and there are at least five shades of blended black paint on the body. The chrome is original. The rubber weather seals around the car are serviceable, but not new. The car will tolerate a manual pressure car wash, but I don't aim the wand right onto the door glass for fear of penetration. Other DetailsFluids: All of the fluids in the car have been changed recently.Exhaust: The exhaust system is a muffler shop creation and serves faithfully, while being slightly noisier than an original factory one might be. It is a soft steel system, with unknown life remaining. It is not rusted yet.Tires: The tires are 75 series radials with reasonably good behavior and a fair amount of tread left on them. I have been running around on them without any complaints.Doors: The interior mechanisms of all four doors have been overhauled. Mechanisms were cleaned, lubricated, tightened, and vapor barriers were installed during re-installation of the interior door panels. Doors and side windows work properly. The right front side window does have horizontal scratches midway up the glass pane.Windshield: There is a small bullseye approximately 3" down from the top of the glass, and 8.5" left of center. It has been sealed.Rear Axle: The pinion seal at the differential was replaced. The differential does not leak, nor does it howl, or make other obnoxious noises.Central Lubrication: The central lubrication pump has been resealed.Business MattersI recommend that the car be inspected physically so that there is total clarity about what it is. For more nitty-gritty information, you are welcome to call me at +1.608.455-7443 between 10am-6pm CST on weekdays, or contact me through Ebay. Should you be the lucky winner of this fine sled, you will be responsible for providing a deposit in the amount of $2000.00 via PayPal within 24 hours of the auction conclusion. The car will need to be claimed physically, or storage arrangements made, within 7 days of the end of the auction. Frankly, you could drive this car to its new home anywhere in the USA. However, if shipping is essential, professional transport by a major car hauler can be arranged.