Steve McQueen has left an enduring legacy on popular culture in ways that many other celebrities has not. In addition to being a big screen legend, his identity – the things he touched, the items he favored, the purchases that he continued to enjoy – have become symbolic of the most interesting and cool products one can buy. I’d be lying if I said Persol sunglasses didn’t come onto my radar because of seeing McQueen wearing them, and for some of us, the Mercedes-Benz 300SEL carries the same impact. This powerful sedan is not McQueen’s but it’s quite similar, and it apparently has under 10,000 original miles. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $14,000.
Now, don’t get me wrong: I think celebrities carry far too much influence in modern society, but consumers are just as much at fault as Hollywood’s egomaniacs are. McQueen, in my opinion, was an outlier, as his interests in automobiles were genuine, not a flex just to buy the latest and greatest. He purportedly drove his 300SEL up until his death in 1980, clearly enjoying the car’s effortless speed and comfortable cruising at triple digits. The car shown here was apparently part of the European delivery program, meaning the first owner purchased it overseas and enjoyed it in Europe before bringing it stateside.
One of the clearer indications of low mileage is the condition of a Mercedes product from this era. If the car has been left outside, the wood trim on the dash will almost instantly perish. The trim here appears to be in excellent shape, and the red leather – a color scheme I cannot recall seeing with any regularity – remains in excellent condition with just some gentle creasing on the driver’s seat. Unlike the W123 or W124 cars, there was plenty of material inside the W109 that could quickly deteriorate if exposed to sun or moisture.
Now, McQueen’s car was the indomitable 6.3-powered version, which was a whole different ballgame as it relates to performance and value. The 4.5 was no slouch but it wasn’t the same as a 6.3 and certainly a later 6.9, making just shy of 200 horsepower but still producing a healthy 276 lb.-ft. of torque. The self-leveling suspension is one of the more typical areas of failure in Mercedes-Benz products of this era, and the seller notes this car’s system will need attention. It’s also a costly expenditure to have a shop correct it, so plan on that expense when making your offer.
Classic old classic here, Jeff. Yes the big motor got all the attention but a good friend stationed at Ramstein AFB many years ago bought one very much like this one from another guy going home. He said it’s easy to trade performance for comfort and the price difference with the “big motor. As well he swore he could feel the difference in drivability and performance between his and the ones he drove later here at home.
And yes he brought his home!
Sweet machine here for a decent price.
Overlooked the bit about the failing suspension but it’s a good bargaining point and an easy workaround for someone mechanically inclined and an internet connection.
This is a nice find however I wouldn’t even try to address then old suspension system. I’d opt for something newer and get rid of that problematic pneumatic system and drive the car regularly. A simple search on the internet tells you what the bargaining point would be for negotiating for the purchase price. Plenty of aftermarket shops can do that work and you would still have a nice “ride!”