Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 3.5 Saloon

Click Here for Full Screen Image - Click Here to Download Image

Introduced in 1965, the W108 and 109 Series Mercedes S-Class was hailed by contemporary motoring journalists as the finest luxury saloon in the world.

Built to a standard that other manufacturers could only gasp at, it set an engineering benchmark 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. The mix of chrome, wood and leather still oozes a cigars and champagne class that makes you feel like a Cold War dictator every time you slip behind the wheel.

The two chassis designations - 108 and 109 - referred to the vehicle's suspension system: 109s had air-suspension while the 108 had coil springs on all four wheels. The smallest engine available was the 2.5-litre straight-six in the 250S and 250SE models, and the largest was the 6.3-litre V8 in the legendary 300SEL 6.3. The S versions had carburettors, the SE versions were fuel injected, and SEL versions fuel injected with longer wheelbases. Got that?!

Barring the 300bhp 6.3 which was produced in very small numbers and was strictly for tycoons and film stars only, the top of the range model was the V8 fuel injection-engined 300SEL 3.5, introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1969. Its natural habitat was the fast lane of the autobahn where it could cruise all day at over 120mph, its imperious front grille and stacked headlamps daring lesser cars to get in its way. It shared various technological features with the 6.3, including the air suspension system for a supremely comfortable ride.

First registered in February 1971, this car is one of very few 3.5-litre cars made in right-hand drive and is in sound mechanical condition, with recent replacement of all four airbags on the suspension at considerable cost in March 2015, new fuel and brake pipes and four new tyres (there are no bills for these items but a cursory examination shows that they have indeed been renewed).

Although it would now benefit from some cosmetic improvement here and there, there is a certain ‘rat rod’ charm about it in its present state and the vendor has used it regularly, the big Merc being the family’s car of choice on days out together, the kids loving the comfortable spaciousness of the interior almost as much as they love the attention that it draws.

Although the last MOT expired in March 2016 the car has sailed through its last few MOTs without issue and it certainly ran and drove well at the time of our visit, looking very retro-chic in the sunshine with the faded patina of the paintwork and naughty rat rod looks. The original stereo and electric aerial function correctly and the previous vendor thoughtfully left a selection of five mini-manuals and service data booklets.

With so few W109s on the market and way more affordable than the uber-rare 6.3, this is a very cool way to travel, wafting along to a summer show.