1959 Mercedes 300 d Adenauer Sedan, Same Owner Since 1973, Gorgeous Example

1959 Mercedes Benz 300 d 'Adenauer' Sedan

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1959 300 d 'Adenauer' Sedan

- VIN: 1890108501138

- Euro spec car

- Same U.S. owner since 1973

- 4 speed manual transmission (on the column)

- Believed to have been the private staff car of former German Chancellor, Kurt Georg Kiesinger.

- Black (40 G) paint, grey velour interior

- Largely original throughout

- Odometer is in KMs and reads: 22,907 (based on maintenance logs, believed to be 122,907 KMs)

** The 'd' in the model designation of this car does NOT mean diesel, it is simply part of the model name '300 d' - this is a regular gasoline powered car.

(Be sure to use your browser's inner scroll bar to scroll through the almost 100 photos in the listing description)
100 photos in the listing below... and a total of 195 detailed photos in our flickr album of this car, see all the photos by clicking this link.

A Euro spec car once owned by the German State of Baden-Wurttemburg and said to have been the private staff car of ex-Nazi and eventual Chancellor of Germany, Kurt Georg Kiesinger. It’s been with the same U.S. owner since 1973.

It was imported to the United States in 1972 by a German teacher. He imported this car along with a 300 SL Gullwing with the intentions of selling them both upon his arrival to supplement his living expenses while in the United States.

The current owner saw both cars, this 300 d and the Gullwing, parked in the parking lot of a Minneapolis teacher’s college (where the German was working) with ‘For Sale’ signs in them. The 300 sedan was $4,900, the Gullwing was $5,900.

The current owner was told by the German who was selling the cars that he bought the 300 sedan at a public auction in Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg. He was told that it had been the private staff car of Kurt Georg Kiesinger, former Nazi and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) from 1966 – 1969. There is paperwork with the car that references ownership by the “Staatsministerium Baden-Wurtt” (State Ministry). While it is unlikely that Kiesenger used a 10 year old car as his staff car while Chancellor of Germany in the late 60s, it is possible that this was a car he used while State Governor (Ministerprasident) of the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemburg, an office in which he served from 1958 until 1966. There are very sturdy flag stanchions affixed to the front fenders of the car that one would expect to see on a car employed but such a dignitary.

The owner made his choice between the two cars for sale and after some negotiation, drove home with the imposing 300 d presented here. Since the early 70s its only owner, a resident of the western suburbs of Minneapolis, MN, has only ever used the car in the Spring and Summer months for occasional touring and car show display. It has be maintained as needed over the years, with much of the work performed by the owner himself.

The car is incredibly well preserved. A thorough going over with a paint meter leads us to believe the owner’s claim that the paint is original, everywhere on the car except on the passenger’s side front fender where the car received slight damage during shipping from Germany. The current owner had that fixed in the early 70s. Other paint touch-up has occurred at the bottom of the doors (mostly the back doors) where some light rust developed and was repaired over the years. The car comes with two replacement back doors that are in excellent condition, rust free and in primer if the new owner would like to finish and install them.

All glass and chrome is original. The brightwork all around the car is in excellent condition with only moderate pitting on several pieces which include the door handles and trunk handle. Rubber seals around the car are in very good condition for their age. This car has never been ‘apart’ for restoration, it’s largely as it left the factory when new.

The interior is a time capsule and in excellent condition. The grey velour upholstery is clean and in excellent condition. The large door pockets are fully functional and in great condition. The braided cording on the back of the front seats is in excellent condition and fully intact. Interior blemishes include one very small hole on the outboard driver’s seat bolster and a small tear on the edge of the passenger’s seat bottom (both visible in the photos provided). All interior wood wears its original finish, except the driver’s door cap, the owner refinished that piece himself. The headliner is original and in excellent condition. The odometer reads 22,907 KMs which are believed to be 122,907 KMs based on the last mileage notes recorded in the maintenance booklet (last entry is 1971 showing 80,805) and the miles that have been driven during the current owner’s time with the car.

The undercarriage shows minor surface rust, but no rust ‘issues’ in the floors, frame, etc. There is minor rust on the bottoms of the back doors and the driver’s door (mentioned above, see detailed photos). There is rust on the rear door jamb (rear fender) on the driver’s side that is along the jamb and continues onto the door threshold / running board area.

The car’s fuel injected 3.0 liter inline 6 cylinder engine starts easily and idles smoothly. The car was serviced in late 2015 at local Minneapolis Mercedes specialist shop ‘Lake Country Classics’ before being stored for the Winter. A general survey of the car was performed. Various small items were addressed and new spark plugs were installed. The transmission shifts easily with excellent clutch feel, the car runs and drives beautifully.

The car is complete with books and manuals, including the original maintenance booklet that shows steady service in Germany from the late 50s into the early 70s. Other paperwork regarding the State of Baden-Wurttburg (mentioned above) is also included with the sale. The tool kit, spare tire and jack are in the trunk. In addition to the two replacement back doors (mentioned above) there is a spare set of European head lights included with the sale as well as 6 spare fuel injection nozzles.

This is a very well preserved example of the imposing 300 d sedan that should be considered a high quality driver example. While it has some minor cosmetic needs, primarily the rust on the rear driver’s side door jamb, it is vastly superior to anything we’ve seen on the market recently in this price range.

Do not hesitate to call me today with questions or if you'd like to discuss the car in greater detail. Car is for sale locally, we reserve the right to end the auction at anytime if the car sells.
The right 'But it Now' offer can put the car in your garage today. Clear title present with car.

My name is Dave, Direct Ph: 651-216-12 six five. I am in Minneapolis, MN, car is in Minneapolis, MN. We strive to represent cars openly and transparently and we always invite 3rd party inspections. Again, car is in Minneapolis, MN if you'd like to inspect it, drive it, etc. before purchasing.

$500 PayPal deposit due immediately, balance due within7 days. We will NOT accept PayPal for the entire purchase amount.

Car is sold AS IS, WHERE IS, FOB Minneapolis, MN. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer. We work with auto transporters regularly, we can refer you to a shipper if you'd like.