The elegant W111 of the 1960s and early ’70s represents a golden era Mercedes-Benz design. While the core of the model range consisted of solid and dependable four-door saloons, brought artfully into the modern era by virtue of their ‘Heckflosse’ tail fins, there was a rakish alternative in the catalogue: styled by legendary designer Paul Bracq, the coupe and cabriolet variants toned down the fins for a more slender and timeless profile, and these desirable low-volume creations have passed into the pantheon of automotive design classics.

The 220 SE we have here is a delightful example, with a robust history file to keenly demonstrate how well it’s been looked after. There are substantial receipts for a full interior retrim and engine bay restoration, and it’s also been treated to a full body resto and repaint. This beauty is way more than skin-deep too – this Mercedes-Benz is thoroughly pleasing to drive, sumptuous in its detail, and such a gorgeous presence on the street that it commands endless smiles and thumbs-up approval. A real feel-good car – and with summer just around the corner, it’s ready to make some indelible memories with you.

 

The 220’s interior is a delightful place to be, having been retrimmed to a very high standard by Aldridge Trimming at a cost of over £6,600. The original seats have been finished in soft black leather, and it still has that new car smell. The seats are plumply stuffed and comfortable, with generous folding armrests, and the fronts recline to allow access to the spacious rear bench. The doorcards and dash have been retrimmed to match, and the carpets have been replaced.

Five new automatic seatbelts were fitted, and the wood trim is in super condition. All of the dials appear to be working correctly, and there’s an elegant Becker Europa push-button radio. Inside the boot it’s all tidy with the spare wheel in place; additional sound deadening has been installed (which peels off easily if desired).

The bodywork is in outstanding condition, thanks to the thorough bare-metal restoration it’s received – this involved replacing the front wings, shot-blasting the shell, making good any corrosion that was found, comprehensive rust-proofing, before a complete repaint. The body panels are straight and true with even gaps, the doors and boot shut with a satisfying thunk, and the metallic silver paint sparkles beautifully in the sunlight. The only blemish of note is a little scab on the nearside rear arch which has been touched in.
 Over the course of the restoration, all of the exterior chrome trim was re-chromed, and today it’s in excellent order, the only minor point of note being some patination to the top of the radiator surround.

The wheels wear their correct chrome hubcaps (showing a little patination) and are shod with a matching set of tyres with plenty of tread. The car has also had its hood replaced with a high-quality mohair item complete with new headlining, and this is very easy to raise, affix and lower. When it’s lowered, the roof can be covered with its tasteful hood bag.
 

The engine was treated to some expert attention with renowned specialist Steve Redfearn, including having the cylinder head stripped and cleaned, new gaskets and seals, valve clearances reset, block cleaned and painted and so on. Today it runs like a dream, starting happily, idling evenly, and pulling with gusto through the revs with effortless smoothness and whisper-quiet operation, save for a pleasing rasp from the tailpipe under eager acceleration.

The column-shift automatic transmission is a perfect accompaniment to this engine and shifts very smoothly, and this car also benefits from the optional power steering.
 The underside of the car appears impressively solid.

There are no issues to report with the brakes or steering, and the suspension rides just as smoothly as you’d imagine, providing the appropriate levels of consummate waft that one would expect from a grand tourer such as this.

 

BEFORE YOU BUY 

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