Fantasy Junction

Description

1965 Mercedes Benz 300SE Sunroof Coupe
s/n 11202110007965
Sand Metallic with Brown Interior

The Mercedes-Benz W112 (also known as the 300SE) was a flagship model in Mercedes-Benz's line-up during the early 1960s. The car, produced in four modifications: coupé, cabriolet and sedans, was identical to the standard Mercedes-Benz W111 Fintail car, but was fitted with the M189 big-block six-cylinder engine, as well as more luxurious features such as air suspension, power steering, automatic transmission, more expensive interior wooden veneer and leather trim, among other details.

To fully understand the significance of the W112, one has to remember, that prior previous generation of vehicles consisted of entry-level 4-cylinder 180/190 series, mid-range 220 series of sedan, coupe and cabriolet, a sports 190SL coupe and roadster, all built on a unified Pontoon unibody chassis. Topping them was the exquisite 300 series of sedan, coupe, cabrio and roadster, hand-built and based on pre-war models, but compensating this with luxurious features and priced such that these vehicles were made available only to elite of royal pedigree. In addition there was the 300SL coupe/roadster, built on a unique tubular platform.

In the late 1950s, Daimler began to initiate a new policy economy of scale, and decided to unify its luxury and standard range in its new family of vehicles, and already in 1957 stopped assembly of all 2-door 300S W187s. In 1958, came the fuel-injected W128 220SE in sedan, coupe and cabriolet versions, and from 1959 the Mercedes-Benz showcased its new generation fintail models. First came the 220/220S/200SE W111 sedans, these were joined in 1961 by the 220SE W111 coupe and cabriolet and the four cylinder W110 190 and 190D. However a replacement for the big W189 Type 300 Adenauer limousine was still being drawn-up. So, Mercedes-Benz decided to break its previous taboo and placed the big six-cylinder 3-litre engine from the W189 into a W111. This was a big gamble, as many 300 customers would not see kindly their exquisite vehicles replaced by an ordinary car, but the sales of the W112 showed otherwise.

Mercedes-Benz took a large set of measures in terms of marketing to separate the W112 from the W111 including individual brochures, showrooms etc. Externally the cars were adorned with almost double the chrome details that were available to the W111s, bigger 14\" rims and features such as power steering, pneumatic suspension and automatic gearbox as standard (though manual would return as an option). The car cost almost double the value of the top range 220SE! In 1963 Mercedes-Benz went on to create the long-wheelbase sedan, sometimes called 300SEL. Performance-wise the 300SEs topped the Mercedes-Benz range, with the M189 big-six engine producing 160 hp (170 after 1964) and giving a top speed of 180 km/h (190 after '64, both figures 175 and 185 for automatic transmission).

However the W112 turned out to be a very short-lived venture. In 1963 Mercedes-Benz showcased the true replacement for the Adenauer, in the new 600 limousine (W100), for the sedan, this meant that the production volume fell drastically if in 1962 2.769 such cars, the next year this fell to 1.382, and in 1965 with the coming of the W108/109 series the sedan W112 went into history, with a total of 6.748 300SEs and SELs. The rarity of the car is further punctuated by the fact that the ratio with respect to the W111, in 1962 for every W112 sedan there was 24 W111s rolling off the production line, by 1964 this was almost 40:1. The Coupe and cabriolet fared better, possibly because the W111 was only offered as a single 220SE model, and the 300SE was the only stable mate. On the whole a 5:1 ratio was kept, and a total of 3.127 2-door 300SEs were produced by 1967. Unlike the sedan, there was no next-generation replacement for the model, as the W111 was produced in par with the W108/109, but the replacement for the 300SE came in face of the 280SE in 1967, and the V8 powered 280SE 3.5 in 1969.

Although it’s very short production run, the W112, allowed Mercedes-Benz to tie together its top range vehicles with its mid-range series. In doing so, it ended the previous nomenclature of 190/220/300, and allowed a common practice of exchanging engines between one chassis and another.

This particular 300SE Sunroof Coupe is a one of just 710 built, and one of even fewer with the 4-speed manual transmission option. While originally a US delivery car, it has been fitted with the desirable one piece European headlamps. It is a structurally superior example, without the rust or rust repairs common to many Mercedes of this era.

The current owner purchased this example in San Francisco in 2009, using it as a daily driver in recent years. The car has been well cared for, and has proven to be very reliable. Records on file show expenditures for over $7,000 in parts alone. The car was aligned, a new battery installed, all fluids changed, a new complete clutch installed, along with new door seals and three-point seatbelts, and the braking system rebuilt.

The car is best described as a straight and solid ‘driver’ in terms of the cosmetic presentation, both inside and out. The car runs well, and has a confidence inspiring, well sorted feel.

Included with the sale is the full tool kit, a 300 SEL manual, 300SE sales brochure, and a parts book. Also available are the original steel wheels, the original US specification lights, and well as the original black steering wheel, should they be of interest to the new owner.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

Inquire About This Car

Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608