1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 Series

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 112.023.10.004451
Engine number: 189.985.10.000176

Mercedes-Benz began offering a luxurious selection of Cabriolet models in the 1930s. The 500 and 540 Cabriolet were renowned for their high-speed open touring in the mid-1930s. The early post-war years saw the 300 'Adenauer' series become one of the finest cars available worldwide. When it came to introducing a new flagship model, Mercedes-Benz launched the W112. This new model was nearly twice the price of the 220 series. Adding to their exclusivity, they were sold out worldwide.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class saloons, first shown at the Ferrari Auto Show in 1965, had the so-called 'New Generation' bodyshell. The Coupes and Cabriolets, however, had the timelessly elegant coachwork that debuted in 1959 on the 220SE. These top-of-the-range luxury models were equipped with air conditioning, electric windows, and stereo radio as standard. The 300SE was given a fuel-injected version of Mercedes-Benz's new, overhead-camshaft, seven-bearing six-cylinder engine that displaced 2996cc and offered 170 bhp (DIN). The buyer was given a choice of a four-speed manual or automatic transmission. In the back, there was a Mercedes-Benz hydro-pneumatic self-leveling system. In this guise, the 300Se was capable of 120 mph and could reach zero-to-sixty in about 12 seconds.

The W112 300 SE left the Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz plant in 1963. It was fitted with the optional four-speed manual transmission and finished in medium-blue color over the gray leather interior, the same livery it wears today. The first owner was Margaret Rockefeller Strong de Larraín, a granddaughter of oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller. The 300SE stayed in Southern France before relocating to Palm Beach, Florida. It remained there in the care of two Floridian owners until recently.

Power is from the all-alloy fuel-injected straight-six engine, essentially carried over from the 300 SL roadster. There is a Becker radio and a period Kuhlmeister air-conditioning system.

In the care of its most recent owner, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, California. It was estimated to sell for $80,000-100,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $79,750 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 112023-10-003469
Engine number: 189-986-12-00160

Mercedes-Benz phased out the 300 series in 1960 which had been in production since 1951. The 300's body-on-frame construction required separate assembly lines and under-utilized equipment to build the old-fashioned frames. In 1960, production quantities had declined to only 603 and to 551 for the following year. At this point, the vehicles were not commercially viable.

In 1959, Mercedes-Benz introduced the new 300SE but production was delayed until early 1961. They were built on the same 2750mm wheelbase as the 220SE and powered by the proven single overhead camshaft 2996cc inline six with Bosch mechanical fuel injection and featured advanced mechanical features like four-wheel disc brakes and coil springs with load-compensating air suspension on the independent front suspension and single-pivot swing axle rear suspension.

A cabriolet and coupe were added to the 300SE's model range in March of 1962. They were produced in very limited numbers (just 3,127 combined coupes and convertibles were created during the six years' production) the 300SE had a short life before they were superseded by the 280SE 3.5 and 600.

This Mercedes-Benz 300SE Cabriolet is a largely original example with a four-speed manual transmission. It is finished in white with bamboo leather upholstery and a black cloth top. Equipment includes full wheel covers, blackwall tires, Frigiking air conditioning and a Becker Europa stereo radio. The car is original - never been restored - and in good running and driving condition.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $74,750 including buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan