Mercedes-Benz 250SE Saloon

Launched in 1965, the wonderful stacked-headlamp W108 series S-Class saloon was the-top-of-the-range Mercedes of the late 1960s and early ‘70s. 

Hailed by contemporary motoring journalists as the finest luxury car in the world, it was built to a standard that other manufacturers could only gasp at, setting a benchmark of engineering excellence that has not been surpassed to this day. Allied to this bank vault solidity was an aura of restrained Teutonic opulence that made it an instant hit with the diplomatic corps from Moscow to Mombasa – no self-respecting dictator would have his staff be seen in anything less.

First registered in January 1968, this particular car has the 2.5-litre fuel-injected straight-six petrol engine which produced a healthy 150bhp and could propel the car to 60mph in 12 seconds on its way to a top speed of 120mph. The V5 indicates that it has had just four owners to date.

Looking very elegant in pale blue with a navy blue MB Tex interior, the car is believed to have been treated to a thorough restoration some years ago and then put straight into storage – a tax disc in the windscreen would suggest that it was last on the road in 1996.

Recently unearthed after a long lay up, it has now been thoroughly recommissioned for sale and issued with a fresh 12 months’ MOT. The vendor reports that: “during a short test drive the automatic gear box changed as you would expect. The brakes and steering were fine and the engine pulled strongly.”

Beautifully styled and engineered, this lovely classic saloon should have many more decades of useful life ahead of it and is sure to attract lots of admiration wherever it goes.