Introduced in 1965, the Mercedes-Benz 300SE was a luxury car that, for many, changed how Mercedes felt as a brand. It set up the modern formula that led to the world famous S-class, and was the inception of modern Mercedes-Benz. Coupled with huge windows and a good, tough, easy-to-maintain engine, this model has become a popular pick for scenic Sunday drives.
This example is completed in a period-accurate, fearlessly fancy get-up both inside and out, leading to an effortlessly appealing 60s classic with an ever-increasing fanbase. image00022.jpg3.67 MB
The History and Paperwork
An enormous paperwork file containing five folders of documentation
Extensive, professional restoration carried out from 1995 to 2000
With current owner for over seven years
Numerous photos of vehicle during its lifetime
Original owner’s handbooks
Previous MOT certificates
Numerous invoices for mechanical and restoration work
The 300SE’s interior is an evocative, period wrap-around. Fanciful and timeless, it captures an era of luxury cars that focused on soft, flowing shapes and curved instruments, from the perforated grey leather seats to the distinctive, dark-toned walnut accents in the dashboard.
The walnut dashboard does feature some small areas of wear, particularly around its pinnacle housing. You may spot some flashes of lacquer rub, or the odd chip, but much of it is very much lost to the dark pattern of the wood. As a result it’s barely a distraction - let alone a detraction - to the overall presentation. All of the instruments are nice and clear, with all original period features.
The walnut is wrapped in a plush, grey leather that flows across the entire cabin - with perforated seating all in very good order, and no visible scuffs or tears. This condition extends nicely to the door cards, which display very nicely.
The chromework displays some light patina that capture the vehicle’s vintage, while still appearing very bright. To sweeten the deal even further, the current owner has installed a period-accurate Becker radio, and a set of unintrusive seatbelts.
Round the back, the boot appears to be good and solid, with no major signs of corrosion that we can discern.
The aesthetics of the 300SE can only be dubbed as regal. Everything here is clean and charismatic, with smoothed corners, an eye catching grill and bright chromework all creating a seriously well-presented car - finished off in a deep royal blue.
It’s a beautiful bit of design. The tidy clusters of lights and indicators, the delicate curve of the grill, the fringed bumper and chrome lip across the arches and sills - the 300SE is a truly impressive looking motor from tyre to hard top, and you’d be hard pressed to find many examples in this one’s level of polish.
Beautifully kept paintwork, with minimal wear, bright chrome boasting only the slightest charmed patina, and period alloys all make for a truly fabulous, distinguished example of an impressively regal car.
We can spot some light surface corrosion to the sills, and the odd mark to the paint on the front wings, above the wheel arches - but these do little to detract from the car’s overall bright, eye catching condition.
The wheels and tyres look to be in very good order, with those distinctive coloured alloys adding a stylish finishing touch to the impressive state of the vehicle.
The vendor reports there are no structural concerns to the underside of the car, and that any wear will be strictly commensurate with the car’s overall condition.
This elegant, pillarless coupe boasts all of those period features you’d expect, with a performance that stands in great stead to its modern counterparts.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
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