1969 Mercedes-Benz 250C Pillarless Coupe (W114) LHD

Highlights

  • Resprayed in original white finish
  • MOT to July 2023
  • Inspected and serviced by independent specialist
  • Fewer than 9,000 built
  • Power assisted steering fitted

The Appeal

There was a time when Mercedes-Benz not only built beautiful and advanced cars, but cars so well engineered that they’ve become a watchword for quality. The W114 series of cars was one such model. Offered as saloons and coupes, they have become a touchpoint for engineering excellence and refined elegance.

This 1969 250C is presented in very original condition, with a gorgeous specification and excellent recent history. As such, this is a unique opportunity to acquire a superbly crafted machine that is rapidly appreciating in the world of classic cars.

The History and Paperwork

  • First registered in July 1969
  • Initially located in Italy
  • Purchased by a mechanic / collector in Ireland who serviced and dry-stored the car
  • Imported to the UK a year ago by the current owner for his daughter’s wedding
  • Historic vehicle status: tax and MOT exempt
  • Despite the historic status, the owner has had the vehicle MOTd, and so it comes with a valid MOT to July 2023
  • Only selling 
  • Current V5C and MOT certificate
  • Fully inspected and serviced by Merx independent specialist in Welwyn Garden City
  • A number of invoices detailing maintenance and servicing in current ownership
  • Only selling as will soon not have anywhere to store the car
  • Comes with a brand-new, never used car cover

The Interior

  • Deep blue upholstery
  • New boot lining recently fitted
  • Retro Phillips radio/cassette

With almost every internal surface encased in deep blue upholstery, the cabin provides an excellent contrast to the bright white paintwork.

The material of the seats, dash-top and door cards all presents very well, appearing to be original and in very good order. As you would expect, there are some scuffs, some evidence of age and wear and some light marks and creases in places. The headlining is similarly good, looking to be tight with no evidence of sagging. It does wear some marks commensurate with its age though. However, for a 53 year old interior, it looks very well indeed.

Complementing the seats and door cards, the carpets and over-mats are in a similar deep blue tone, and appear to be in good overall condition.

Looking at the internal trim, everything appears to be solid and period correct, apart from the stereo, which we think may be a 1980s addition. There is a small hole in each of the rear compartment’s side panels where a small item of trim is missing. Otherwise, everything appears to be present and correct. Some of the cabin brightwork, particularly on the door cards, has some notable surface corrosion and pitting, but still operates as it should.

We’re told by the owner that the dashboard instrumentation and driving controls all function correctly, and certainly they present well. They wear some blemishes and marks corresponding to the vehicle’s age, but are very legible and eminently usable. The only thing noted by the owner is a slight crack in the dash above the central air-vent. Wood veneer runs across the fascia and seems to be in fine fettle, with no evidence we saw of cracking, delamination or warping.

At the back, the boot area has been retrimmed and features a full-size spare along with a period jack.

Collecting Cars Mercedes 250 Coupe Chris - Thom Bateman Photo-115.jpg 901.58 KB


The Exterior 

  • Professional respray in the original white
  • Optional spotlights
  • Original steel wheels with hubcaps and whitewall tyres
  • Pillarless coupe styling

Finished in shimmering white paintwork, which the vendor assures us has been professionally resprayed, this lovely pillarless coupe benefits from elegant and timeless styling. As you can imagine, the paint looks to be in very good order, while the body panels, light lenses and windows all appear to be straight, well-fitted and undamaged.

The paintwork is beautifully accentuated by the original brightwork, which wears minor marks and blemishes and some light pitting in places, but gives the car a real sense of character and history. At the front, there are removable driving spotlights which the owner added purely for styling reasons. These can be easily wired in permanently or removed, depending on the preference of the new owner.

Underneath the vehicle is nice and clean and very straight, with no evidence we could discern of any damage or notable corrosion. A small amount of welding has been carried out to the underside by Merx (an independent specialist) prior to the MOT. There is the usual minor surface corrosion present on some of the drivetrain elements. Otherwise the underside looks to be in excellent condition.

Wheels are the period-correct steel items, dressed with classic body-colour and chrome hubcaps. These are shod with stylish whitewall tyres, which the owner tells us have good tread.

The Mechanics 

  • 2,496cc inline-six
  • 4-speed automatic transmission
  • Recent full service and long MOT
  • Recent full professional inspection and maintenance
  • Power assisted steering fitted

The 2.5-litre inline-six in this W114 is a peach of an engine. Known for its characterful engine note and fine performance, it’s the perfect companion for this sophisticated coupe. Mated to an automatic transmission, it offers the kind of smooth and unruffled progress that suits the character of the car.

When the car was imported from Ireland, the current owner had it sent to an independent specialist (Merx in Welwyn Garden City). They carried out a full inspection, service and a number of maintenance tasks before the car was put through an MOT. Some of the work carried out includes: new brake discs and pads to the rear, new callipers all round, new brake hoses, adjustment of the parking brake, new fuel pipe and a new copper brake pipe. The owner tells us that the garage owner is happy to speak to any potential buyers about the vehicle.

We’re informed by the vendor that the car drives very well indeed, starting ‘on the button’ and with no smoke, leaks or untoward noises.

Collecting Cars Mercedes 250 Coupe Chris - Thom Bateman Photo-118.jpg 922.39 KB

Summary

Few cars are as elegant or well engineered as the W114. In coupe form, it’s a truly beautiful car. It’s no surprise to us that they are increasingly sought-after and still held in such esteem.

This example has been nicely maintained and clearly cherished. Having been dry-stored, recently fully inspected and serviced and benefitting from a lovely specification, it’s sure to become someone’s pride and joy…

Notice to bidders

All items in this listing are sold on an “As Is - Where Is” basis. Photos and listing descriptions should be used as a guide only.  Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this listing and Car & Classic performs a level of due diligence prior to the auction, we do not warrant the accuracy of the listings. The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Inspection is highly recommended prior to bidding. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion.

Please take care when making a bid as once your bid is placed, it cannot be withdrawn and will not be cancelled. If you are unsure do not bid as no refunds will be given.

A nonrefundable buyer deposit is applied to all items won at auction. Please see our FAQs and T&Cs for further details.
All bidding is subject to our T&Cs. By registering and bidding you agree to the terms. Please ensure you clearly read them alongside the special terms and conditions contained in this listing.

Please see our FAQs here and our Terms & Conditions here

Vehicle specification
  • Year 1969
  • Make Mercedes
  • Model 250C (W114)
  • Colour White
  • Odometer 43,553 Miles
  • Engine size 2496
Auction Details
  • Seller Type Private
  • Town Welwyn
  • Location Hertfordshire
  • Country United Kingdom
Bidding history
26 bids
  • TL•••• £15,000 13/09/22
  • TL•••• £14,750 13/09/22
  • Gl•••• £14,500 13/09/22
  • TL•••• £14,250 13/09/22
  • Fa•••• £14,000 13/09/22
  • TL•••• £13,750 13/09/22
  • Fa•••• £13,500 13/09/22
  • TL•••• £13,250 13/09/22
  • Fa•••• £13,000 13/09/22
  • TL•••• £12,750 13/09/22
Message C&C Auction Team

The Gallery

The safest way to buy a classic car online

Car & Classic's secure payment system protects buyers and sellers. At the end of the auction, the winning bidder transfers payment into a third-party escrow account. Once the transfer of the vehicle is complete, both parties confirm they are happy with the sale and the money is released to the seller. More about buying with us
Safe, secure payment process

About Max Bids

The max bid process allows you to bid without any hassle.

Enter your maximum bid and we will then bid on your behalf to ensure you're the highest bidder - just enough to keep you in the lead and only up until your maximum.

Anti-sniping

Car & Classic prevent auction snipers from bidding in the last seconds to win an auction.

Auctions are extended by 3 minutes if anyone bids within the last 2 minutes to allow other bidders to react and counter-bid.

Auto-bidding increments

  • If your maximum bid is equal to or below the reserve price, your maximum bid will be applied in full if you are the highest bidder.
  • If you are the highest bidder and place a maximum bid above the reserve, we will automatically put in the reserve as your first bid.
    • Once the reserve has been met, Car & Classic will make sure you are the highest bidder using only the bidding increments stated below.
    • We will keep you in the lead up until your maximum bid OR the increment closest to your maximum bid, providing your maximum bid is enough to cover the increment value.

Bid Amount Increment
£0 to £9,999 £100.00
£10,000 to £49,999 £250.00
£50,000 to £99,999 £500.00
£100,000 + £1,000.00

Automatically outbid immediately

When you place a max bid and are outbid immediately that means that another bidder has placed a max bid limit which is higher than yours.

You can bid again and we will use our automatic bid system to try and get you as the highest bidder.

Matching max bids

When there are two max bids of the same value, the one placed first remains the lead bidder.

Pre-authorisation

We may hold a pre-authorisation charge on your card until the end of the auction when the hold will be cancelled. If you win, we'll take a security deposit which counts towards the payment for the vehicle and isn't any extra cost to you.

What are pre-bids?

A pre-bid means you're able to place a bid before the official start of the auction.
You will be notified whether or not you are the highest bidder when the auction starts.

Problem with your bid

Bids are contractually binding. To help protect you, we have some rules in place if we think it's been mistyped. Please check and amend what you have entered.