Mercedes-Benz

The four-door 300 (W186) was introduced at the Internationale Automobil Ausstellung in April 1951 and entered production in November 1951. It was the company's flagship model at the time, succeeding the Mercedes-Benz 770, best known from its use by high-ranking Nazi politicians before and during World War II. It was available as both a saloon and cabriolet and featured a new 2,996 cc six-cylinder engine. The car is nicknamed Adenauer after the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, who employed six custom cabriolet, saloon and landaulet versions of the W186 and its successor W189 during his 1949-1963 tenure. 

In August 1957, the W186 was succeeded by an enlarged version (W189). It was longer and wider than its predecessor and included modernized bodywork, fuel injection and a unique hardtop configuration transforming it into a pillarless phaeton. An additional 10 centimeter wheelbase provided greater rear legroom, equaling that of the long wheelbase model Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud also introduced that year. A total of 3,077 units were produced through March 1962, along with 65 special-order cabriolets until it was replaced by the Mercedes-Benz 600.