Close your eyes, pitch a horseshoe, and today, you’ll hit a Mercedes somewhere. That was not the case in 1971 when they were still considered to be a somewhat exotic import, purchased by individuals that really appreciated German quality and engineering. And on the off chance that you would actually wack a Benz with that horseshoe back in ’71, it would have probably been a 220, 230, or 250 and certainly not a “W109” version of the big SEL, such as our subject car, much less a 3.5 liter, V8 equipped edition. This ’71 Mercedes 300 SEL is located in Mooresville, North Carolina and is available, here on eBay for a BIN price of $4,495. There is a make an offer option too. Thanks to LMK for this tip!
This 300 SEL is based on the Mercedes 109″ wheelbase, W109 platform. Offered between 1968 and 1973, there were only 6,500 W109’s built during that time as most of the SEL, full-size cars were placed on the W108, or 108″ wheelbase platform. The “300” in the 300 SEL model name can be misleading. Early 300 SEL’s were powered by a 3.0 liter, in-line six-cylinder engine, which makes designation sense, but the engine was reduced to 2.8 liters for the 1968 model year. Starting in late 1969, the 3.5 liter V8 version, such as our example, commenced and it continued through the 1972 model year. Total 3.5 equipped production volume was about 9K units and a fairly uncommon find today.
This Mercedes is a bit worn around the edges. The finish is showing degradation but it appears that a clear coat is starting to break down, perhaps a later day two-stage repaint that is giving it up? Or maybe it’s just general oxidization. There is surface rust, and more, that is blooming in the fender legs and lower door edges too. That said, the heavy coachwork of this Benz is still straight and the attachments, i.e. grille, stainless window trim, and bumpers present well. There are no underside images included so that’s an area that should be checked for potential rot even though the seller claims, “Solid rockers with good floors“.
The interior is an interesting study, the front seats are in fair shape, but the red vinyl of the rear seat backrest is a decomposing mess. Looking at the package tray, it appears that water intrusion could be the culprit.
The remainder of the interior has a worn, half-century-old bearing about itself. The instrument panel’s wood trim is faded and the gauges are a bit cloudy while the dash pad and the steering wheel are both cracked. The carpet is pretty worn and shows evidence of sun fade, probably the same thing that caused the exterior finish fade. The door panels have not fared well either.
Under the hood is a non-working 197 HP, 3.5-liter V8 engine. How do we know it’s non-working? The hoses and belts are disconnected and the camshafts and other components are in the trunk – never a good sign. The seller adds, “Engine revival work has been started by prior owner“. The odometer reading is 34K miles which probably translates into 134K miles, at least. Starting in 1969, the 3.5-liter engine was available with a four-speed automatic transmission and that’s what’s in place here.
So yes, this 1971 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL, 3.5 is a substantial car, but its condition will require substantial time, effort, and investment. Will it be worth that time, effort, and investment or would it be more prudent to find a better example?
At least 134K and probably 234K. Rust warning. I bought a 1970 250 from someone in Richmond, VA back in the late 80s. It was the 6 cylinder with 2 4barrel carbs…plenty of power. However nice it looked, when I peeled back the onion, there was a lot of hidden rust, particularly in the left front fender and left rear quarter. It was a great driving car…very comfortable and powerful. Parts were really expensive. I had to replace the heater/AC fan. A GM fan cost $35 at the time. The MB fan cost $220 and I had to remove the entire dashboard to replace it. While the bigger engine is nice, this car is pretty rough and renovating it (forget restoring it) will be expensive. I’d find a better version and pay up. Frankly this is a $1500-$2000 car given the work needed to make it a driver.
I can’t even imagine how much money it would take to even begin to restore this car. Gives new meaning to the term “money pit”.
This not-so-mobile project center is a candidate for the young DIYer or the wealthy seasoned collector. I restored a 220SE coupe & it is nice that all genuine parts are available through MB-USA but you are hereby forewarned that they are very proud of their stuff!
Hmmm like a $300 car….
What we have here is someone that has the failure to communicate just how much work will be needed to bring this car back from the dead. Having done several already my conservative estimate will be close to $30K. That being said this car might be worth $500-1000 for somebody that is either up to the challenge or has a second one and would use this as a parts car.
Thank you Jim and I agree with Peter. Mercedes of this vintage are always worth saving. I’ve had one, saved it, and drove it with much enjoyment until it was sold to a collector in Montana. He’s still driving it. I would raise Peter’s estimate another $10,000.00 and when done one will have a brilliant car. If I had the room I’d get serious about it. Someone jump on this and save it. You won’t be disappointed.
I owned a ’71 Mercedes 280 SE with a 3.5 engine. It was a 2-door hardtop. What an aggressive road car! That 3.5 engine was a monster – and so were the mechanical bills I paid to keep it in top performance.
A Scotsman named Colin Sendal did all the service work. I remember when the defroster knob/switch stopped working. I took it in to Colin for its regular service and I asked him to replace the small knob. He said, “Jim? Let me tell you how those Germans built this car of yours. They started with a jig and the first thing they mounted was that damned defroster switch. Then, they proceeded to build your car all around that switch. It would take me 28 hours of labor to get to that no good bugger.” I said, “Colin, you know what?I can really due without that defroster switch.” He said, “I figured you’d say that.”
I remember when I was climbing North through the Siskiyou Mountains on I-5. I picked up a Ferrari just North of Yreka, California and we had a go at it going up the mountain. Try as he would, he could not get past me. Of course, we were traveling at over 140 mph on the straight stretches with my wife giving me “what’s for” in the passenger seat. We crossed the top of the summit with the Ferrari in close pursuit. I backed off and he screamed down the other side. At the bottom of the grade, I took the first exit to Ashland, Oregon and there at the same station was the Ferrari. As I started to fuel up, the guy walked over and said, “What kind of engine you got in that Mercedes? I’ve never seen one run like that before.” Of course, it was that hot, 3.5 fuel-injected engine. A heavy car and a heavy engine but it was made to chew up the autobahn. It sure did that and then some.