Mercedes-Benz 300SE Coupe

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Mercedes-Benz launched its top-of-the-range W112 Series in 1961 as a more upmarket version of the W111 ‘Fintail’ Series which had first appeared in 1959. 

Available as a Saloon, Coupe or Convertible, all W112s were powered by the same 3-litre, straight-six, fuel-injected engine as fitted to the legendary 300SL Gullwing. However, in the interests of longevity and ease of maintenance, it was detuned from 212bhp to 170bhp which still gave the W112 impressive performance for its day with a top speed of 115mph.

Although the gorgeous Paul Bracq-designed bodywork was identical to the W111, in W112 guise it had more generous external brightwork including chromed wheelarches, sill covers, roof gutters and side-stripes. The interior was also more luxuriously appointed with electric windows, power steering, hydro-pneumatic self-levelling rear suspension, a limited slip diff and power-assisted disc brakes (front and rear) all fitted as standard.

At almost double the price of the W111 and more expensive than any other Mercedes apart from the majestic 600 ‘Grosser’, the W112 was aimed at a very affluent clientele and Mercedes put a lot of effort into marketing it correctly, displaying it in separate showrooms to the lesser models with classy surroundings and aspirational lifestyle sales brochures.

Only sold from 1962 until early 1967, just 9,975 W112s of all types were made, of which only 2,419 were Coupes. Beautifully built and oozing restrained Teutonic opulence, they were all fine cars – the Coupe, especially, being tailor-made for the artistic elite of the Swinging Sixties and still exuding film star glamour today.

First registered in January 1963, this particular left-hand drive Coupe has spent most of its life in America with documents in the history file showing that it was in Burbank, California, from at least 1977 onwards. A desirable 4-speed manual gearbox example (noticeably more lively than the standard automatic), it was imported to the UK in 2004 and has been in the current ownership ever since.

Shortly after acquiring it, the owner drove the car across France and Spain to his second home in Malaga, where it has remained until very recently. Used on high days and holidays only in the 10 years since, the car is said to run and drive well with various bills for routine maintenance while in Spain including a new hydraulic valve for the air suspension which functions as it should. The car did have a stamped up service book and an owner’s handbook in the original wallet, but sadly these were stolen from the car in Spain some years ago.

While the headlining, blue MB Tex seats and doorcards are in good condition and will clean up really well, the car now requires a new carpet set and refurbishment of the woodwork to restore the interior to its former glory. Externally the body panels all appear remarkably sound and straight (thanks to the sunny climes in which it has spent the vast majority of its life to date), although there are a couple of minor patches of surface rust on the bonnet.

As the vendor is still abroad there has not been chance to obtain a UK MOT or tax disc but it does have a current V5C although, at the time of cataloguing, this could not be readily located. There is also an original 20 page sales brochure which is now a collector’s item in its own right. Altogether a wonderfully rare and glamorous Coupe, at a very sensible guide price, that should amply reward the light restoration now required.