1967 | Mercedes-Benz 250 SE

A beautiful W111 Coupé finished in Ivory with a red leather interior, manual transmission and continuous history from new.

One of Mercedes’ most elegant post-war cars and the last to be hand assembled, the W111/112 Coupés exude 60s style and glamour. Expensive new, they were produced in low number, particularly in right-hand drive. In 1966 the 220SE was replaced by the new, more powerful 250SE, available with either manual or automatic transmission.

First registered in 1967, this is 1 of 235 right-hand drive 250SE Coupés built. The car received its first ‘running-in’ service in Vitry-le-Francois, France, presumably its first owner driving through France to the docks to be shipped to South Africa where it spent the next 35 years. Throughout most of this time it was owned by a Dr Meinert who kept extensive paper records on the car throughout the 80s and 90s. The last owner bought the car in 2001 when he lived in South Africa and brought the car with him when he moved the UK in 2002. It is believed the car has had only three owners from new, the last has certainly had it 23 years.

It is lovely that this car has such extensive documentation. It has all its original books and (full) service book, plus folders of paperwork going back over 40 years. The last keeper has continued to maintain the car correctly and document everything. Notably in 2019 the car received a full engine rebuild by Hightone Restorations, it received a thorough rustproofing using Dinitrol products by Corotec the same year. Roger Edwards rebuilt the rear axle in 2020. It was last serviced in 2023 by Roger Edwards.

In summary, there are bills for over £35,000 from the last 6 years, and bills going back to 1980.

It would be hard to find a W111 with a more complete maintenance record.

As the photos show the car presents extremely well with nice paintwork and chrome.

The interior has recently benefitted from reupholstered seats and new carpeting, but the dash, door cards and headliner remain original.

The wheels wear their original trims and are shod with matching Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres all round.

Having lived for most of its life in a dry climate, the underside is in very good order and well protected.

In short, a lovely example of a W111 Coupé, fun to drive with the manual gearbox, and with few and long term owners from new with a detailed history and much recently spent to preserve its condition.