Before there was a Mercedes 300SL there was a 300 series, introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1951. Though not flambouyant in appearance it was contemporary enough, with a modern wrap-around windshield and flush-mounted headlights. The 300 was designed specifically for the export market because the US economy was booming and Germany's was still in recovery mode. At first the 300 series was only available in four-door configuration as a sedan or cabriolet but later included sexy-looking coupes, convertibles and roadsters, all on a shorter wheelbase. In 1952 a 300S variant increased horsepower from 115 to 150; priced at $12,500 this was a small fortune at the time; clients included the Aga Khan, Gary Cooper, and Cary Grant.

The car you're looking at here will be offered for sale at Russo and Steele's auction during Monterey Classics Week. (Note: There is no such thing as an official "Monterey Classics Week" but with so much happening during those seven days it seems absurd to use "Pebble Beach" as an identifier. We hereby proclaim Monterey Classics Week as our own and offer it to the highest bidder.) That said, this car will be sold at the Russo and Steele's Monterey auction, August 16th to 18th at the Monterey Marriott Downtown. Any other time of year I could stay there but during Monterey Classics Week I can no more afford a room than I can afford to bid on this 300S Roadster, a car of "international class" as the French press dubbed it.