Mercedes-Benz
300 Sc Coupé and Cabriolet A (W 188 II)

Why it matters

The 300 Sc is the fuel-injected final stage of the 300 S line and the fastest and most expensive of the 1950s Mercedes-Benz 300 family. This profile covers the closed coupé (98 built) and the Cabriolet A (49 built); a further 53 were made as roadsters, giving 200 in all between 1955 and 1958. Bonhams calls it widely regarded as the most desirable post-war Mercedes-Benz luxury model.

How rare is it?

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

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

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 Sc succeeded the 300 S in September 1955 with a Bosch direct fuel-injection system derived from the 300 SL. Output rose to 175 hp, and the car received revised low-pivot swing-axle rear suspension and standard servo brakes. The archive gives a top speed of 180 km/h, 0 to 100 km/h in 14 seconds and a price of DM 36,500 from September 1955. Production ended in April 1958 after about 200 cars across the three body styles.

Catalogue examples include a 1957 cabriolet delivered new to Belgium on 29 May 1957 whose data card is on file, a 1956 cabriolet restored between 2012 and 2017, a 1956 coupé sold new in Frankfurt whose data card confirms its original chassis, engine and body, and a 1957 coupé restored in 2012.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

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

Identification guide

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

The factory types are 188.014 for the coupé and 188.013 for the Cabriolet A (design name W 188 II). Both have direct fuel injection with a Bosch six-plunger pump, a compression ratio of 8.55 and 175 hp at 5400 rpm, with a final drive of 4.11 and a single-joint swing axle at the rear. Length is 4700 mm and width 1916 mm. Auction catalogues rely on the Mercedes-Benz data card to confirm original colour, options and the matching chassis, engine and body numbers; a coupé offered by Bonhams carries chassis number 188 014 7500024, and RM Sotheby's notes a car whose data card shows it kept its original chassis, engine and body stampings.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   300 Sc Coupé / W 188 II, 1955 - 1958 Level A Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • Units produced : 98
   • Engine type : M 199 / 199.980 (Specifications)
   • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Specifications)
   • Total displacement : 2996 cc (tax classification: 2975 cc) (Specifications)
   • Bore x Stroke : 85 x 88 mm (Specifications)
   • Compression ratio : 8,55 (Specifications)
   • Valve operation : 1 overhead camshaft (Specifications)
   • Fuel system : direct injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 6-plunger injection pump (Specifications)
   • Rated output : 175 hp at 5400 rpm (Specifications)
   • Rated torque : 26 mkg at 4300 rpm (Specifications)
   • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (Specifications)
   • Gear ratios : I. 3.44; II. 2.30; III. 1.53; IV. 1.0; R. 3.08 (Specifications)
   • Final drive ratio : 4.11 (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 : 2900 mm (Specifications)
   • Length : 4700 mm (Specifications)
   • Width : 1916 mm (Specifications)
   • Height : 1510 mm (Specifications)
   • Front / rear track : 1480 / 1525 mm (Specifications)
   • Kerb weight : 1780 kg (Specifications)
   • Maximum speed : 180 km/h (Specifications)
   • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 14 s (Specifications)
   • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 85 l (Specifications)
   • Fuel consumption : 12.5 l (Specifications)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   RM Sotheby's Essen 2019 – 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc Coupé Level B

   • 98 300 Sc coupés (same page: 49 Cabriolet A, so 147 coupé + Cabriolet A combined; 53 Roadsters)

   Accessed 2026-11-12