Mercedes-Benz · 1957–1962

Mercedes-Benz W189

See Mercedes-Benz S-Class for a complete overview of all S-Class models. The Mercedes-Benz W189 model 300 was a four-door luxury tourer produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1957 and 1962. It was the company's flagship model at the time, equivalent to the modern S-Class and Maybach. Marketed as the Type 300d, it was equal in features and price but superior in performance to the rival Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud. Favored by statesmen and business leaders, it offered options such as a glass partition, VHF mobile telephone, and dictation machine. All but hand-built, the 300d is often colloquially referred to as the Adenauer, after Konrad Adenauer, the first Chancellor of Germany (then West Germany) who employed six custom cabriolet, hardtop saloon, and landaulet versions of the W189 and its precursor W186 series during his tenure. Among the custom features in these "parade cars" were writing desks, sirens, curtains, dividing partitions, sunroofs, and half-roof "landaulet" configurations. Technologically advanced, the fuel injected 3.0 L inline-6 300d was regarded as a "driver's" car, sharing numerous design innovations and mechanical components with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing", including engine, suspension, and chassis. It was succeeded by the W100 Mercedes-Benz 600 Großer Mercedes in 1963.

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Successor: Mercedes-Benz W112

All Mercedes-Benz W189 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

300d

A successor to Mercedes' flagship W186 series final model, the 300c, the enlarged 300d (W189) was introduced in August 1957. Its new chassis code reflected sweeping refinements that included modernized bodywork, pioneering fuel injection, and a unique hardtop configuration transforming it into a pillarless phaeton. Available as both a saloon and cabriolet, it retained the W186's proven X-frame chassis and was fitted with a more powerful version of its 3.0 L (2996 cc/182 in³) overhead cam, aluminum head M186 straight-6, the M189. The M189 shared improvements proven in the iconic 300SL "Gull Wing", the fastest production car of its day, including Bosch mechanical direct injection and an innovative diagonal head-to-block joint that allowed for oversized intake and exhaust valves. Output was an even horsepower per cubic inch, 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) at 5500 rpm. Designed to give reliable service under prolonged hard use, the engine featured deep water jackets, thermostatically controlled oil cooling, copper-lead bearings and a hardened crankshaft. A 3-speed Borg-Warner automatic transmission was standard. With no natural cruising speed, the car could sustain anything up to its maximum speed all day, road conditions permitting. The combination of a rigid X-shaped ovoid steel tube frame and four-wheel independent suspension provided surprisingly nimble handling. Double wishbones, coil springs, and a stabilizer bar were used up front, and Mercedes' typical double coil spring swing axle in rear. An innovative dashboard-operated rear load-leveling suspension engaged a torsion bar to increase stiffness by one-third when needed, and a pedal-operated central lubrication system kept friction points silent. Brakes were vacuum-assisted hydraulic drum all around, steering recirculating

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Specifications

name: Mercedes-Benz W189
Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz
aka: Mercedes-Benz 300d, Adenauer
Production: 1957–1962 , W189 Saloon: 3,077, W189 Cabriolet D: 65
Class: Full-size luxury car
Body style: 4-door saloon , 4-door phaeton , 4-door cabriolet , 4-door limousine
Platform: Mercedes-Benz W189
Related: Mercedes-Benz 300 Sc, Mercedes-Benz 300 SL
Layout: FR layout
Engine: 2996 cc M189 I6
Transmission: 4-speed manual , 3-speed automatic
Wheelbase: W189: 3150 mm
Length: W189: 5190 mm
Width: W189: 1860 mm
Height: W189: 1620 mm
Kerb weight: W189: 1950 kg
Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz W186
Successor: Mercedes-Benz W112, Mercedes-Benz 600