HIGH PERFORMANCE AND HIGH LUXURY Mercedes-Benz’s 300 series of the early 1950s is widely considered the company’s final true hand-made, coachbuilt model.

With styling that was a bridge between pre-war elegance and modern streamlined simplicity, each example was built on an oval tubular frame with independent suspension, and used a six-cylinder engine similar to that of the company’s feared racing models of the era.

This was especially true of the two-door models, which boasted construction quality second to none, with the very finest materials used throughout, including magnificent polished woodwork, and the thickest and richest leathers stretched over seats of armchair-like depth.

Each multi-layered convertible top served as insulation from everything but comfort.

Not for nothing were these among the most expensive automobiles in the world—most costly, originally, than a 300 SL, which was no small feat.

The original 300 S line of two-door styles was succeeded by the 300 Sc, which...