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At the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented a newly developed luxury limousine, taking the mantle from the very successful W111 and W112, which had witnessed great success and achieved economies of scale production. Production of the W108 and W109 continued through 1972 in Europe and 1973 in North America, with over 383,000 examples built. The W108 and W109 abandoned the Paul Bracq-designed fintails of the W111, embracing a lower body waistline and wider doors. The interior was spacious and luxurious, and a variety of engines were available, including the popular six-cylinder unit. The W108 was the normal wheelbase version, and the W109 was offered in a long wheelbase configuration. Most examples utilized the W108 chassis.
With a 6.3-liter V8 engine at its disposal, it was only a matter of time before engineers would figure out a way to shoe-horn it into the engine bay. In-house engineer Erich Waxenberger began work in 1966 on this task, and a concept was shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 1968. With a positive response from the public, the idea was put into production in 1968 and continued through 1972, with 6,526 examples built.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 ranked among the fastest four-door production cars in the world.
This particular 300 SEL 6.3 is a unique build that cost the Dutch businessman who commissioned its creation a total of 400,000 Dutch guilders. The Dutch lithograph company owner approached Mercedes-Benz in 1968, asking them whether they intended to launch a convertible version. When they said 'no' and refused to sell him a rolling chassis, his request for a coupe version was also declined. A personal request to Dr. Uhlenhaut for a rolling chassis was also refused.
Having acquired a standard 300 SEL 6.3, the Dutchman commissioned Sergio Pininfarina to pen a 2+2 design for his Mercedes. Although the Turin-based carrozziere refused, claiming the chassis was not stiff enough and should be shortened by Mercedes-Benz, they eventually agreed to re-body the vehicle.
Beyond just the body configuration, the Dutchman had a vast list of requirements, including limited glass surfaces, it had to sit high 'like a Rolls-Royce,' the back seat had to be movable and not divided by a fixed armrest, and enough insulation to limit road noise.
Upon completion, the 300 SEL 6.3 was shown on the Pininfarina stand at the Paris Motor Show in 1970. On February 10, 1971, the Dutchman's chauffeur finally took delivery of the car and drove it back to Holland.
The owner's wife was not a fan of the Mercedes, and in 1972, the original owner enlisted Auto Becker in Germany to assist in its sale. At the time, the car had covered a mere 10,000 kms. The seller was asking 70,000 DM for the car, and Becker's skepticism about the price was proven accurate when it did not sell. The Mercedes eventually returned to the owner's residence and was purchased by another Dutch citizen in 1973. It has remained in the Netherlands its entire existence. In 2023, it appeared at the Bonhams auction at The Quail, where it had an estimated value of $400,000 to $600,000 (USD). Failing to meet its reserve, the unique Mercedes would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023
With a 6.3-liter V8 engine at its disposal, it was only a matter of time before engineers would figure out a way to shoe-horn it into the engine bay. In-house engineer Erich Waxenberger began work in 1966 on this task, and a concept was shown to the public at the Geneva Motor Show in 1968. With a positive response from the public, the idea was put into production in 1968 and continued through 1972, with 6,526 examples built.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 ranked among the fastest four-door production cars in the world.
This particular 300 SEL 6.3 is a unique build that cost the Dutch businessman who commissioned its creation a total of 400,000 Dutch guilders. The Dutch lithograph company owner approached Mercedes-Benz in 1968, asking them whether they intended to launch a convertible version. When they said 'no' and refused to sell him a rolling chassis, his request for a coupe version was also declined. A personal request to Dr. Uhlenhaut for a rolling chassis was also refused.
Having acquired a standard 300 SEL 6.3, the Dutchman commissioned Sergio Pininfarina to pen a 2+2 design for his Mercedes. Although the Turin-based carrozziere refused, claiming the chassis was not stiff enough and should be shortened by Mercedes-Benz, they eventually agreed to re-body the vehicle.
Beyond just the body configuration, the Dutchman had a vast list of requirements, including limited glass surfaces, it had to sit high 'like a Rolls-Royce,' the back seat had to be movable and not divided by a fixed armrest, and enough insulation to limit road noise.
Upon completion, the 300 SEL 6.3 was shown on the Pininfarina stand at the Paris Motor Show in 1970. On February 10, 1971, the Dutchman's chauffeur finally took delivery of the car and drove it back to Holland.
The owner's wife was not a fan of the Mercedes, and in 1972, the original owner enlisted Auto Becker in Germany to assist in its sale. At the time, the car had covered a mere 10,000 kms. The seller was asking 70,000 DM for the car, and Becker's skepticism about the price was proven accurate when it did not sell. The Mercedes eventually returned to the owner's residence and was purchased by another Dutch citizen in 1973. It has remained in the Netherlands its entire existence. In 2023, it appeared at the Bonhams auction at The Quail, where it had an estimated value of $400,000 to $600,000 (USD). Failing to meet its reserve, the unique Mercedes would leave the auction unsold.By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2023
2023 Bonhams : Quail
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $400,000-USD $600,000
Lot was not sold
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL
(Data based on Model Year 1969 sales)
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL Sold for USD$26,950 2023 Mecum : Glendale | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Chassis#: 109018.12.002404 Sold for USD$56,000 2022 Bonhams : The Audrain Concours Auction | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Sedan Chassis#: 109018.12.000686 Sold for USD$24,640 2021 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Chassis#: 10901812001518 Sold for USD$36,300 2020 RM Sothebys : Palm Beach Online | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Chassis#: 109.018.12.002560 Sold for USD$56,000 2020 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 'Red Pig' Replica Sold for USD$474,748 2020 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL Sedan Sold for USD$55,000 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6,3L Chassis#: 10901812002011 Sold for USD$46,199 2019 Artcurial : Retroobile | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Saloon Chassis#: 109.018.12.002268 Sold for USD$78,515 2019 RM Sothebys : Paris | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Chassis#: 109.018.12.002441 Sold for USD$126,500 2017 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL Sold for USD$28,733 2016 Collector Car - Toronto Fall Classic | |
1969 MERCEDES 300 SEL Sold for USD$22,575 2014 McCormick's - Palm Springs # 57 | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Saloon Sold for USD$13,901 2013 Shannons Melbourne Late Summer Classic Auction | |
1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 300SEL SEDAN Chassis#: 10901812000225 Sold for USD$23,100 2011 Barrett-Jackson - Palm Beach, Fl | |
1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SEL 6,3 L - Ex Maris Embiricos Sold for USD$25,535 2010 Automobiles sur les Champs | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 4D Sold for USD$16,500 2009 Classic Car Auction of Toronto - Spring | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL Sold for USD$19,500 2009 Classic Car Auction of Toronto - Spring | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Sedan Sold for USD$12,810 2009 Shannons Auction - 2009 Sydney Summer Classic Auction | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL Sold for USD$16,500 2007 Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL Sold for USD$19,440 2007 Toronto International Spring Classic Car Auction |
Mercedes-Benz 300 SELs That Failed To Sell At Auction
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 2+2 Coupe | 100981-12-004017 | 2023 Bonhams : Quail | $400,000 | $600,000 | |
1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL | 2009 Boca Raton, FL Kruse | $20,000 | |||
1969 MERCEDES 300 SEL 6.3 | 10901812002674 | 2007 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions February 2325, 2007 | $22,000 | ||
1969 MERCEDES BENZ 300 SEL 6.3 | 2003 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction February 2003 | $3,100 | |||
1969 MERCEDES-BENZ 300 SEL FOUR DOOR | 2003 Kruse Auction Scottsdale, AZ | $6,800 |
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1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL
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