Highlights
- Very rare UK RHD with equally rare column shift manual
- Huge amount of history in box file with work by leading specialists
- Sympathetically refurbished throughout
- Only 65,000 miles covered since 1965
- Incredibly original example
- Tax, MOT and Ulez exempt
- Voluntary MOT valid to August 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The W111 ‘Heckflosse’ or ‘Fintail’ was launched in 1959 as the first stage in the replacement of the popular ‘Ponton’ range. The new model was very much a thorough update of the existing platform, but chief engineer Fritz Nallinger was instructed to give the car fashionable styling which echoed trends coming out of the Italian styling studios. The W111 still had the traditional big Mercedes grille with the three-pointed star on top, but the front end also boasted distinctive light units, and the iconic chrome fintails on the rear became a feature.
Which brings us to this wonderful example. It is a 220b saloon with the super smooth column shift manual, which is so desirable. As a high radiator model, it has the imposing front grill and legendary straight six engine.
This rather special low-mileage, low-owner 220b rolled off the production line in 1965. Finished in Cement Grey DB186 with contrasting light grey houndstooth cloth, it has real road presence. It has recently been subject to a sympathetic restoration inside, outside and mechanically and presents beautifully. It is a mark of the seller’s approach and confidence in the car that it comes to market with a voluntary advisory-free MOT, which is valid to August 2026.
The vendor writes:
“I’ve always considered the W111 Fintail as a genuine masterpiece of automotive design. It combines glamour and engineering integrity like no other car I’ve ever seen. For classic motoring in style and comfort, there’s little to match it.
“Condition is everything, and the fact that this is not an over-restored example made me fall in love with it even more! There’s very little to fault on this one. I believe it’s probably the most authentic and unmolested example available in the market today. It has character in spades, which is why I’ve recently made sure it was well and truly up to standard. Mechanically, it is as good as it gets, a dream to drive. If you’ve always wanted to treat yourself to a classic Mercedes-Benz, value condition, authenticity and rarity in your investments, then look no further, I’m sure you’ve found the one to buy.”
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1965
- First UK registered 6th November 1967 as detailed below
- Only five registered keepers
- Garaged through its lifetime we are told
- Excellent provenance and a box file of history
- Extensive history file dating from 1965 to 2025
- Voluntary MOT valid to August 2026 with no advisories
- Full clear VDI/HPI check according to seller
- Mercedes Enthusiast magazine with this car featured
- Original owner’s manual and books
- Every single tax disc from 1989
- Every single historic MOT certificate from 1983
Ordered new from the factory, in 1965, by a distinguished British surgeon working in Geneva, the saloon still has a tacho in KM. When the gentleman retired in 1967, he brought the car home to England and cherished it for many years; indeed, the Fintail has only ever had five keepers. With only 65,000 miles (96000 km) on the clock, this W111 has the feel of something very special about it.
The service history is comprehensive, proven with invoices. Indeed, it seems that only renowned specialists have ever worked on the car including John Haynes Mercedes, Nigel Cooper Restorations, Steve Redfearn Mercedes and Paul Sumner Classics. The oldest invoice dates from 1965 and the last only a few months ago.
The original Mercedes bookholder contains all the owner user manuals and assorted books. Add to this historic MOT certificates, tax discs, service invoices, parts receipts, historic V5s, original wheel jack, and a pristine spare wheel and tyre that looks never used. This is proof, if any were needed, of the car’s impeccable originality. A reassuring history like this only adds to the car’s desirability and long-term investment potential.
The Condition
- Opulent Light Grey factory houndstooth cloth bench seats
- Original factory rubber mats
- Original windscreen wood restored by an artisan cabinet maker
- Very well kept ivory steering wheel
- Finished in stunning Cement Grey DB186 paintwork
- Excellent chrome and brightwork
- Totally solid and straight bodywork
- Totally unmolested and as it left the factory
It is not often one comes across a 60-year-old interior which looks no more than a few years old. This car really has been looked after extremely well, and it shows in its condition. The trim of the seats, finished in Light Grey Houndstooth, feels to us as supple and supportive as it must have been when new. The rear seats look to have never been used, and the vendor has gone to the expense of sympathetically Connolising the headlining.
The dash presents as it should with no sun cracking. The original wood surround at the base of the windscreen has recently been re-worked by a craftsman, so it looks original rather than new. Doors and door cards are superb. The luxurious wood retains a beautifully deep shine and its condition, like that of the whole interior, is hard to fault. As far as we can tell, all the instruments and electrics work as they should, the wonderful analogue dashboard clock does seem to have a life of its own, working when it wants to, a minor detail!. After condition, originality is key. Even the boot, which could be forgiven for being slightly more used, is very clean and solid. The original boot mat is present, as is the original full-size spare wheel with excellent tyre.
Nestling into this luxurious interior and hearing the solid clunk of the door closing is an experience in itself. It is an elegant and incredibly luxurious place to be, evocative of a more glamorous age.
Finished in one of Mercedes-Benz’s most desirable colours, Cement Grey DB186, the paintwork gleams in the sunlight and has a deep finish to it that really does show off the elegant lines of this icon. Not appearing over-restored, the body still has some of the original factory paint, and this lends an authenticity that over-restoring tends to take away. There are a few minor touch-ups on the body, two to be precise, which appears to be original paintwork. This patina does not really detract, and we are being picky.
Shut lines are flush, and the body is reported to be straight as an arrow. The vendor had the two roof-mounted rain rails chromed professionally to remove pitting; the rest of the chrome work is incredible to behold for a car of this age. The glass on the car is in excellent condition all around and is original to the car. The headlight lenses are clean and fracture-free. The original steel wheels are also in excellent condition with colour-coded dog bowl hubcaps, and the matching tyres all around are in great shape.
Underneath, the car appears to have benefited from being undersealed and is clean and proper - we can’t discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern there.
The Mechanics
- 2,195cc M127 straight six engine
- Starts on the button, engine runs like a dream we are told
- Just fully serviced by Paul Sumner
- Silky smooth column shift gearbox
- Overhauled brakes
- Voluntary MOT with no advisories
The 2.2 straight six is a marvel of Mercedes engineering, torquey and powerful but also ever so quiet and relaxing to use. It fires up on command and, with its very light clutch and smooth gear shift, pulls away with absolutely no effort. Frankly, we doubt there’s a more agreeable car to drive.
This well-maintained example has been serviced regularly throughout its life and has received its share of expenditure as and when necessary. This has kept it in such fine condition. Needless to say the car also comes with all its spare keys. The whole engine bay is wonderfully clean. New high-performance battery aside, it must look like it did when new. During the 3 hour photo shoot the car started on the button and was moved back and forth with no issues at all.
A recent full service using the correct mineral oil and new, advisory-free MOT are reassuring. They indicate how good this car is mechanically. As mentioned, the car was inspected and serviced by Paul Sumner Classics in Chichester. The vendor informs us that Paul is an authority on these cars and perhaps the most respected classic Mercedes specialist in the country. This really is a car to drive and not just look at, it is so mechanically sound and sorted that not to do so would be a shame.
Condition, coupled with authenticity, is everything with W111, and this particular example has got it all, It was even featured in Mercedes Enthusiast magazine It has very low keepers, so it has not come to market often, a huge history file, original manuals, wonderfully straight bodywork, fully sorted mechanicals, all this presented in the very best colour scheme. A time warp example like this is ideal for the collector, enthusiast, investor or indeed a combination of the three. If you have been searching for an exceptional classic Mercedes-Benz.. look no further, this is the one to bid on and hopefully win.
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Comments
john-ca••••
Gorgeous car. Does it have any issues, problems or leaks? Is there any rust anywhere? I prefer patina to perfection and would like to know if there's a need for immediate work.
john-ca••••
I’m going to try my best to buy it In 1986 Nigel Cooper started a bare metal resprayed on my 1962 Mercedes 220 SE cabriolet It took 2 years The car ended up on the cover of Classic and Sportscar magazine in Feb 1988 I know Nigel’s work