Performance Review: Mercedes 300 S Roadster - [1951]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes 300 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes 300 S Roadster is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1951. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1952 Ferrari 340 Mexico and the 1952 Alfa-Romeo Disco Volante 1900 Touring Spider.This particular Mercedes 300 has a 2996cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 300 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 300's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1740 kgs (3836 lbs) this makes the Mercedes 300 S Roadster in the same weight category as the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes 300 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2996cc 12V St6 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 170 lb-ft (230.4 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes 300 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1979 Datsun 280 ZX (110.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes 300.

The Mercedes 300 has a Power to weight ratio of 85.0 bhp per ton and 97.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1951 300 competing with the 1979 Datsun 280 ZX (110.0 bhp per ton) or the 1996 BMW 3 Series 318is 4d Saloon E46 (109.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes 300 generating around 97.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1999 Ford Mondeo ST200 (122.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v (122.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 14.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 15.0 secs, this made the Mercedes 300 S Roadster as fast as the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (15.00 secs) the 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (15.00 secs) the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe (15.10 secs) the or the 1977 Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 (15.20 secs). This Mercedes 300 S Roadster is also faster than the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (15.00 secs) the 1962 Rover P5 MkII/III (15.00 secs) the 1978 Mercury Zephyr Z-7 Sports Coupe (15.10 secs) the and the 1977 Austin Allegro 2 Super De Luxe 1500 (15.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 300 and the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes 300 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.54 secs @ 73.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Porsche Macan 3.0 Diesel S Sport (18.45 secs), the 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid (18.46 secs), and the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Corrado G60 (18.47 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1951 version of the Mercedes 300 S Roadster has a maximum speed of 109mph.

Top Speed of the 1951 300 equals the 2009 KIA Borrego 4.6 V8 AWD (120 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1951 Mercedes 300 S Roadster then how about the 2009 KIA Borrego 4.6 V8 AWD (120 mph), the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (120 mph), or the 2006 Pontiac Solstice Coupe 2.4 16V (120 mph).

Related Links:

1951 300 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison