Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 300 › 300 d Cabriolet D (W 189) · Rare production · 1958–1962 Extremely Rare

Mercedes-Benz
300 d Cabriolet D (W 189)

Four-door convertible "Adenauer", built to special order.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · MERCEDES-BENZ 300 D CABRIOLET D (W 189) 1958–1962
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
65BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
65 Built
Years
1958–1962
Engine
Inline six, SOHC, Bosch mechanical fuel injection · 2,996 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,996 cc
Power
134 kW / 182 PSFactory: 180 hp · converted
Top speed
165 km/hFactory: 165 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The W 189 Cabriolet D was the open four-door version of Mercedes-Benz's flagship 300 d touring car. With only 65 built, it is among the rarest Mercedes-Benz touring cars of its era.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityExtremely Rare 65 · Built1,2
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionW 189 Cabriolets built (23 for 1959) 651,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The 300 d combined a 2,996 cc single-overhead-cam six with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, a three-speed Borg-Warner automatic and power assistance throughout. Only 65 W 189 Cabriolets were made, 23 of them for the 1959 model year.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 300 d Cabriolet D (W 189).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 189 I / 189.981, with automatic transmission: 189.9801
LayoutInline six, SOHC, Bosch mechanical fuel injection3 Independently researched
Cylinders61
Displacement 2,996 cc / 3.0 LFactory: 2,996 cc3 Independently researched
Bore 85 mmFactory: 85 mm1
Stroke 88 mmFactory: 88 mm1
Compression ratio8.55:11
Valvetrain1 overhead camshaft; camshaft drive: double roller chain1
Fuel systemmanifold-injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 6-plunger injection pump1
Power 134 kW / 182 PSFactory: 180 hp · converted3 Independently researchedSource states bhp.
Power at 5,300 rpm3 Independently researched
Torque 237 Nm / 24.2 kgmFactory: 24.2 kgm1Source unit is "mkg".
Torque at 4,200 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxThree-speed Borg-Warner automatic3 Independently researched
Gears31
Gear ratiosI: 2.303; II: 1.435; III: 1.0; R: 2.011
Final drive4.67 (for USA: 5.125)1Source gives: 4.67 (for USA: 5.125)
Driven wheelsrear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

Chassiscruciform oval-tube frame with centre reinforcement1
Front suspensiondouble wishbone; coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser1
Rear suspensionsingle-joint swing axle; double coil springs, electrically engageable torsion-bar suspension1
Brakeshydraulic, with vacuum booster, acting on front- and rear wheels; four-wheel drum brakes1
Steeringrecirculating-ball steering1
Body constructionsteel unit body1
Wheelbase 3,150 mmFactory: 3,150 mm1
Length 5,190 mmFactory: 5,190 mm1
Width 1,860 mmFactory: 1,860 mm1
Height 1,620 mmFactory: 1,620 mm1
Front track 1,480 mmFactory: 1,480 mm1
Rear track 1,525 mmFactory: 1,525 mm1
Kerb weight 2,030 kgFactory: 2,030 kg1DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit. Source gives: 2030 kg, with automatic transmission 2080 kg
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 165 km/hFactory: 165 km/h1Source gives: 165 km/h; with rear axle ratio 5.125: 160 km/h
0–100 km/h 18 s1
Fuel tank 72 LFactory: 72 L1Source gives: in the rear / 72 l; from 07.1958: 78 l
Fuel consumption 15.8 L/100kmFactory: 15.8 L/100km1Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 15.8 l (DIN 70030: at 3/4 of top speed, not more than 110 km/h, plus 10 %)

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

Genuine cars carry chassis numbers beginning with the W 189 type prefix (for example 189.033...). Mechanical specification: 2,996 cc fuel-injected SOHC six, three-speed automatic, independent coil-sprung front and coil-sprung swing-axle rear, vacuum-assisted drums.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    300 d Convertible D / W 189, 1958 - 1962 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 65
    • Engine type : M 189 I / 189.981, with automatic transmission: 189.980 (Specifications)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Specifications)
    • Bore x Stroke : 85 x 88 mm (Specifications)
    • Compression ratio : 8,55 (Specifications)
    • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft (Specifications)
    • Fuel system : manifold-injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 6-plunger injection pump (Specifications)
    • Rated torque : 24.2 mkg at 4200 rpm (Specifications)
    • Gearing : 3-speed automatic transmission (Specifications)
    • Gear ratios : I: 2.303; II: 1.435; III: 1.0; R: 2.01 (Specifications)
    • Final drive ratio : 4.67 (for USA: 5.125) (Specifications)
    • Driven wheels : rear wheels (Specifications)
    • Frame design : cruciform oval-tube frame with centre reinforcement / steel unit body (Specifications)
    • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Specifications)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : single-joint swing axle (Specifications)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic, with vacuum booster, acting on front- and rear wheels; (Specifications)
    • Steering : recirculating-ball steering (Specifications)
    • Wheelbase : 3150 mm (Specifications)
    • Length : 5190 mm (Specifications)
    • Width : 1860 mm (Specifications)
    • Height : 1620 mm (Specifications)
    • Front / rear track : 1480 / 1525 mm (Specifications)
    • Kerb weight : 2030 kg, with automatic transmission 2080 kg (Specifications)
    • Maximum speed : 165 km/h; with rear axle ratio 5.125: 160 km/h (Specifications)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 18 s (Specifications)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 72 l; from 07.1958: 78 (Specifications)
    • Fuel consumption : 15.8 l (Specifications)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 D Cabriolet | Gooding & Company Level B
    • 65 W 189 Cabriolets built (23 for 1959)
    Accessed 2026-11-11
  3. 3
    1959 Mercedes-Benz 300 d Cabriolet (Lot 107, Pebble Beach 2025) Level B Gooding & Company
    • 2,996 CC Inline SOHC 6-Cylinder Engine
    • 2,996 CC
    • 180 BHP at 5,300 RPM
    • 3-speed BorgWarner automatic
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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