One of approximately forty-five 1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 d, Robert and Janet Eng’s “Mercedes Adenauer” is certainly one of the best restored of the original fleet. With an appreciation for the care required to refurbish a family heirloom, JG Francis from Mercedes Motoring helped to bring the “Adenauer” out of its post in the Eng family’s garage, and back out onto the streets where it belongs. Today, the couple has little respite from the throngs of classic car fanatics eager to buy the immaculately restored vehicle.
Ever since the day Robert Eng took the “Adenauer” Mercedes home as a present for his wife Janet, this car has been an important part of the family. The Engs have lived in Los Angeles since the 1930s, they know the city inside out and have always relied on their “Adenauer” as a loyal companion for their excursions through the Californian countryside.
The Engs always dreamed of reawakening the car to new life, dusting it off, washing it and making it shine in its erstwhile splendour. As Calvin Eng reminisces: “It required a bit more effort than anyone was prepared to invest”. The car had not been driven since the 1970s, although it was still loved – more as a relic of bygone joys than as an adventure that was waiting to begin. Protected against the elements though, it did remain intact during the decades leading up to its restoration.
In 1957, when the Mercedes-Benz 300 was introduced bearing the internal designation 300 d, it was a leader in its class and today, over half a century later, it is still a symbol of luxury. Built for a long useful life and an example for the durability of classic cars, the so-called “Adenauer Mercedes” was considered one of the most prestigious and elegant models of its time.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 “Adenauer-Mercedes“.
In its last production year, 1962, only forty-six 300 d cars were built, and the Engs’ saloon is now possibly one of the best-restored models.
.G. Francis, proprietor of Mercedes Motoring, helped to get the family heirloom from its location in the Engs’ garage back onto the road. He worked with care and dedication on the restoration of the Mercedes-Benz 300 d, even after the repair of the interior showed itself to be far more demanding that he had imagined at first. As so much work went into the car, Robert and Janet Eng are now overwhelmed by numerous enthusiastic classic car fans who want to buy the impeccably restored vehicle. One particularly noteworthy fact: the “Adenauer Mercedes” today runs with the same parts it had in 1962 – and thanks to the painstaking, careful restoration, runs at least as well as it did back then.
