Mercedes Goes Big... Again... [PIC]

World War ll saw the end of the "Grosser" Mercedes high powered luxury cars. Post war, Mercedes began producing  small passenger cars with engines under 2 liters. However, they quickly resurrected their racing program with cars built around their 3.0 liter supercharged 6. After the tragedy at the 1955 Le Mans event, Mercedes pulled out of racing and decided to invest in larger luxury cars utilizing the fuel injected 3.0 liter detuned to 175 hp. By late 1955 they began building both a 300 4 door sedan and this 300 SC (sport cabriolet) W188 and continued production until 1958 when it was succeeded by the even more luxurious "Konrad Adenauer" which became the flagship enjoyed by world leaders and the ultra-rich. The Franklin Mint 1957 300 SC is an older model that featured some new tech including the diecut tristar hood ornament. The few survivors are much sought after with one recent example auctioned for $835,500.

This particular model offered a tutone repaint from the original all burgundy release. I was hoping they'd supplement the model with an up top, but it didn't happen.