Beskrivning
Rare RHD, UK supplied, late 1972 Mercedes 300sel 6. 3 with superb provenance for sale.
The legendary W109 300sel 6. 3 needs little introduction. The fastest four-door saloon of its era that also boasted air suspension and a mighty fuel injected 6. 3 litre V8 which was specially made for the uber expensive and ground-breaking 600. It was described by Autocar at the time of launch as ‘merely the world’s greatest sedan’ and essentially gave birth to what we know as the AMG 6. 3s of today. With a top speed of 137mph and a staggeringly quick 0-60mph time of 6. 5 seconds it is still regarded as a fast car today.
Having known and been around this car (from the early 1990s) and subsequently owning it for the last 14 years or so, I am in the process of reducing my classic Mercedes collection and have made the very difficult decision to sell this wonderful car.
Amongst Mercedes 300sel 6. 3’s, this is a very special example indeed. It is not only a UK supplied, RHD example (only 702 were produced in rhd), it is one of the last produced or certainly imported into the UK, being number 6310 out of 6526 produced and has matching numbers. Later cars from 1971 or 72 are more desirable and also sported the centre console mounted window switches which are easier to use and arguably look better. Not only is this one of the very last and therefore best cars produced incorporating all of the final developments, it is one of the last supplied by Normand Mayfair to the UK, which makes it rarer still. On top of this, it has superb provenance having had only 5 owners and notably, predominately owned by the legendary, Mercedes club silver star winner and Aficionado Ron Cushway (Father to W198 expert Martin Cushway) for more than 24 years and Mercedes collector, Neil Clifford. There is also substantial service history with the car with detailed invoices going back to the 1970s.
This beautiful, accident-free car has never been off the road and stored, instead it has been maintained, driven sparingly and enjoyed all its life and is in unrestored condition, although it has been painted in its original colour of sand beige (which looks like champagne rather than gold), once, in the late 80s. The door shuts and panel fit are factory correct with excellent and consistent panel gaps. It still has its wonderful original ‘roser’ leather interior with the coveted four headrests option. It has its original blaupunkt radio with original Hirschman arial. It has its original carpets and original and in perfect condition, headlining.
The car starts very well from, cold, hot or luke warm and has plenty of power and good oil pressure. The gearbox was re-built in the late 1990s and changes up and down the gears smoothly. The rear differential is quiet and there is no vibration on acceleration or at speed. The steering box has been refurbished by John Haynes in 2021 and the car has undergone recent servicing including: engine oil, gearbox oil and diff. Being a historic vehicle it does not require an MOT, it was last MOT'd and passed in 2019. The suspension although being renewed in the 1990s now needs renewal with new bushes, airbags and front nivo valves etc, although it does still stay up for up to 2-3 weeks when stored.
Other work completed in my ownership includes: radiator re-core, recent XWX Michelin tyres, alternator overhaul, visco fan replacement, rear nivo valve replacement, new brake pads and discs, prop-shaft balancing, regular servicing at MC engineering and more recently at John Haynes Mercedes.
Bodily the car is in very solid condition having been wax oil injected in its early days and underneath there is no sign of active corrosion whilst it also retains its original floors. The paint is a little scruffy in places, although in general is presentable as it has always been garaged and spent some decades in a heated, de-humidified environment. The chrome is in good condition with only the quarterlight surrounds and door handles showing some pitting. Overall, the car presents a great basis for either being taken to concours standard or just being driven as is for years to come with some on-going maintenance applied.
The car is for sale at £59, 900, represents good value when compared to other examples for sale in the current market and considering it's a rhd example, in great colours, specification and with superb provenance.
Currently registered with the fabulous number plate of SMB 63L which is included in the sale.
