History
I am an admirer of all Mercedes Benz. I have owned several 107 series and a 560 SEL Benz. I wanted a special and unique project, so after perusing the internet I decided a 300d Benz was the one.
Restoration is my pet hobby so I wanted a complete restorable 300d car, they are difficult to find as some are not restorable or already restored some were very low mileage and some almost new. As I searched I found this car for private sale in Philadelphia. It was totally complete with all tools and with an owner’s manual. After I researched the availability of parts I took the plunge and imported it in September 2013.
The Mercedes Benz 300d sold for DM 27000 in 1958. This car is No 540 of 3077. It was a USA export and arrived at 447 Park Avenue New York Manhattan in 1959. Imported by Mercedes Benz distributer Max Hoffman Motor Company. This car was purchased by a wealthy engineering businessman Silvan Bianco of Ardmore Philadelphia and had a chauffeur for this car. The car was then purchased by Vincent Motzel of Pine PT Philadelphia on April 20 1977 to impress his clients of his interior decoration business. The car was then purchased on February 28 1978 by Jozeph Baranyai of Baranyai Woodworking Company in Philadelphia. The purchase price at this point was $3500 with an insurance premium price of $40.05 Jozeph and his family enjoyed this car on Sunday drives to the beach.
On 22nd September 1013 Dismantle stage begun with removing front of the car to expose the engine and running gear. All stages were documented with photos. Storage of the parts was pivotal so a log of parts and progress was important. These 300d Benz’s are very complicated and challenging with unique design and integrated lubrication system. The suspension assisted system on rear springs was still operational with a mechanical actuator controlled from the dashboard. All the instruments and controls were complete and working. This car also had luxury extras consisting of integrated factory air conditioning and power steering. This car also had a Becker Mexico 4 speaker radio fitted. All luxury extras were checked and refurbished as required.
All body was removed and a support frame was fabricated to support the body so chassis could roll out from the suspended body. I did not have a hoist for this project. The chassis was stripped down with everything removed ready for prep and paint. All mechanical parts were dismantled and assessed for parts required. Engine was rebuilt with new parts as required along with the differential and rear axle. The Injector pump diaphragm, bearings and seals were replaced without altering the fuel delivery settings which were checked to be perfect. The transmission was refurbished with new seals and bearings as required. All new brakes parts and a restored ATE brake booster was fitted. The engine was assembled complete with transmission and run on a test stand before fitting to the chassis. Setting ignition and injection pump timing was a delicate job on the Mercedes Benz 300d.
The time taken at this stage was 4 years. All mechanical components were now fitted to chassis and prepared to replace the body. The body was stripped to bare metal and treated with etch primers then undercoated. The body was now prepared for painting work which took 1 year. The car was assembled by 2019, I carried out all mechanical and preparation work up to this stage. All door seals and windscreen rubber seals were supplied by Jim Frizwold of Mercedes Classsic in Portland USA. Chrome plating that required refurbishing was now completed and car was painted by Sam Hawkins at Awesome Paintworks in January 2020. A new windscreen was fitted at this stage. I reupholstered the door trims and fitted the refurbished woodwork. The woodwork was a mammoth task as stripping sanding and preparation took over 80 hours. The seats were reupholstered by Chris Downs of Trimcare in Perth. Finishing off and fitting the chrome work was a major task. The car was licensed in May 2022.
I enjoyed this restoration experience and I recommend this rewarding hobby.
Earle Carroll
