Along with the 600 limousine, the W111 and W112 cabriolets are among the most highly valued Mercedes-Benzes of the 1960s, and for a good, very simple reason: these were the last truly grand four-passenger convertibles built by the company until 2016. This somewhat shabby 1962 220SE still hasn’t met its reserve at $22,445 as of this writing, but given that its value fully restored could crack six figures, don’t write it off. Find it here on eBay out of Memphis, Tennessee—a long way from its claimed California origins.
Those sunny roots, and the claimed mileage of just 11,929 (on a five-digit odometer, natch), haven’t prevented this Cabrio from acquiring plenty of wear and tear. A complete color change from the elegant original black over red is reported as well. 1962 is about as early as W111/112 convertibles get; the 111 designation is applied to the 220SE, while the 112 indicates the fancier 300SE. Unlike their sedan cousins, only fuel-injected coupes and convertibles were offered; just 2,729 of the 220SE cabriolets were built between late 1961 and 1965.
The injected 2,195-cubic centimeter M127 inline six, originally good for 134 horses, is claimed to run, although the car is not drivable. Certainly, a battery would be a good step in that direction; what else is needed is apparently for the seller to know and the buyer to find out. An automatic transmission handles shifting duties, and braking is by way of front discs and rear drums, four-wheel discs being reserved for the 300SE.
How lovely this cabin would have been in red! The color change certainly seems to have been very complete; hard to say whether it’s a trick of the light or the original red showing through on the dash pad below the radio. Speaking of the dash pad—ouch! The big, throne-like seats are in decent enough condition, driver’s backrest aside, and the door panels look fine, but otherwise this interior needs more or less everything—and I’d certainly take it back to its original color if it were mine.
Plenty of love is needed on the outside as well. While the car does seem largely free of rot, it’s hard to describe it as “straight.” Most of the brightwork needs refreshing, at least, and the iconic Mercedes grille is toast. Otherwise, it does seem very complete, and the underside seems to bear out the seller’s description of “very solid”—at least, what little we can see of it. Take it back to black, with lots of shiny chrome, and set it off with some whitewall tires, and it would be a beauty!
That all might be much easier said than done, but this rare and special car would probably be worth it. I’d hope it doesn’t go too much higher before hitting the reserve, because the restoration this car deserves won’t be cheap, but the end result will be beautiful—and very valuable.
For the right buyer, and his well-documented MB restorer, this `62 220SE cvt. will easily be a $130K once completed. And yes–I’d DEFINITELY bring it back to its black with red leather origins!! These early models are NOT run-of-the-mill; they were hand-built up to about 1971, which is why excellent examples fetch 6 figures all day long. Wouldn’t surprise me if this project hits $30K as is. The `62 cvts. are nearly non-existent here.
Hello will,
I just bought this 220. And we are restaurating it. The Benz is now in the Netherlands. Can you or anybody help me to get the history of this car. If interested i can send you some picture wher we are. We take it apart to the bone. And build it all original up again. I do not know if this message reaches anybody it is 4 years on this page. Please e mail me directly
Amazing Benz. deep pockets to restore, but hope it gets brought back as it should! Good luck to the new owner!!
Cheers
GPC
Having worked on many of these, the quality of build is truly amazing, especially when compared with today’s plastic cars. Chrome plated brass, chromed screws, everything over engineered and done with an intelligence and ease of service that is lost on today’s designers. What a beauty in Black over Red.
This example in driver condition recently sold for $76,000
Amazing find. I have the last year of this big convertible body style in my garage, a 71 280SE 3.5 convertible that belonged to my 90 year old uncle. He turned the car over to me when he turned 80. I thank him always for his gift to me. It has not been run in decades. I am not selling it, the car will stay in the family. The big Mercedes convertibles have exploded on the market over the last 10 to 15 years. I expect this car to top 40g even in it’s unrestored condition.
Your 3.5 is the top of the class. I have seen nice ones bring over 200,000. Don’t short change it’s value. I bet a solid unrestored car would bring closer to 100K than 40. As for expense to restore……..I always find that a subjective question. There are crooks that try to charge more to work on something like this than the comparable 57 Chev……..but in reality, a good paint job costs the same as any other vehicle, leather interior kits are readily available and no more expensive than any other high quality product, grills are easy for the car because they are the same as a sedan. Chrome costs the same, engine parts could cost more than for some cars but the labor today is the biggest part of the overall expense. Tops for these are expensive but no more than a quality top for any other comparable high end car. The low grill (later models) in particular have always garnered attention and respect wherever they travel. If anyone has a chance to see one up close, the leather, wood and chrome are breathtaking. There are some plainer examples……the 250SEC’s were not as nice…….but the 220’s were the top of the mark at the time and the 3.5’s were among the finest cars ever built by man. These are what rich guys drive and enjoy for themselves
Oh no Dave, I am not short changing my car, when I said this car may top 40k in it’s unrestored condition, I was talking about the 62 model featured here. A well restored 69/70/71 280SE 3.5 can top 300k and even an unrestored 3.5 will be over 100k, if you can even find one anymore.
I had a good friend in Germany named Manfred Friesinger. He was (his son is now) a legend in Porsche circles and eventually owned race car teams. He had close connections with the Factory and owned many great cars from the beginnings of the company to the latest and greatest. His wife drove a car like yours. 71 280SE 3.5 cabriolet. It was not a new car but nothing compared. I used to tease Manfred about it but it was the best of the best and no Porsche compared in class or comfort.
The hood is completely bashed! look at the filler panels beneath for the out-of-line problems. It might be fixed, but I would bet on a new or replacement hood, not a cheap start
The hood is not unique to the coupe………not difficult or expensive to replace if nessisary. Even on rusty cars, they are rarely damaged. I would bet the problem is the hood hinges are bent…….also not difficult to fix.
I would love to drive it just the way it is. I am so totally burned out on “restored” cars, I’m sick of them, I would never want to own another one. Just the way that car is, it would attract ten times the attention of a “restored” car. “Restoration” is not possible anyway. Once a car leaves the factory, it can never be made “new” again. The best that can be achieved is to make a replica of the original car. All of your “restored” cars are simply replicas using new materials and replica parts, and nothing more.
Dirk,,,,i agree with you totally,and i will not restore any old car anymore.you be good,,, Hans
Current values make this very restorable. Besides they were great cars plain and simply that.
This auto is a perfect candidate with no more than above average skills to make a killing on even if buy price of 40K USD $.
Working upon one of these money boys autos is no different than using ones skills to redo an mid tp or one hell of a lot less work than buying a rust bucket American old car.
A good owner operator of repair body and mechanic shop should be able for under 30K to have a saleable 150K + auto.
This is a flippers dream.
What movie has a character driving around in one in about this same condition?
NOT Hangover. Pissed me off what they did to that car.
The mother of one of my school mates had one of these in perfect condition.
it was a gorgeous car.
After reading through most of the above comments, I have to ask: Why is always about money, money, money? Isn’t there anyone left who just loves the cars?
Of course the car has a strong upside and he restoration will be around six figures but who cares? You will own this because you love the car and cruising around in it will be an unforgettable experience. It doesn’t matter what it’s worth.
I am in the Hobby because I love the cars; not as a business opportunity.
Yes of course, we love these cars , but the financial aspect must take a front seat these days when considering a restoration because of the size of investment it takes to restore cars these days. Especially a Benz. In this cars case, buy one that is already done. They are out there and can be found for less than this will take to restore. You’ll end up in a much better financial position….Ask me how I know…It isn’t fun, whether you love a car or not, to be upside down financially in a car…
If I bought ever auto I had a crush on, I would hveno money money money.
In 5 years you would see a pic on Barn Finds of my back 40, all for sale, cuz I couldn’t find money to do them right.
An auto is like a beautiful woman, once you’ve ridden them for a long time your eyes begin looking at other bodies and wondering what riding one of them is like.
To the folks who are trying to say this car would cost no more to restore than a ’57 Chevy… If it were missing one piece of the chrome plated brass, it would have to be remade by hand and then plated, whereas ’57 Chevy chrome is readily available. Do you see the dilapidated padding on the firewall? Check out how much the correct stuff is, never mind all of the cheap knock-offs that say they are correct. How about the missing airbox? The disintegrated battery tray and missing hold-down? Missing metals vents in the dash. Cracked steering wheel. Refinishing all of the chrome. These are only a few of the things you can see in some bad photos. I have first hand experience in trying to take one of these cars from a 7 to a 9 and it was insanity. In my opinion, if someone gave this car to you and you tried to make it even an 8 – even doing all of the work yourself, you would lose money. This is far from a flippers dream. Very very far.
This is one of the best cars that the world produced out of the early ’60s. If you truly love the car for what it is, don’t “restore” it, clean it, polish it, buff it, remove the grill and carefully straighten it, replace only what the car absolutely requires to be safe and comfortable, top, tires, brakes, and then cherish it and drive it! You will be rewarded handsomely in terms of enjoyment and satisfaction. If you are concerned about the money aspect, don’t be. If you don’t blow a hundred thousand or more foolishly on a “restoration”, you will always get your money back on a car like this, and probably then some. If you are only concerned about your image as you drive it around then, God help you.
My comment of ” flippers dream” was two fold: #1: An auto at a decent price with % wise the possability of large returns.
#2: An auto with guaranteed interest demographics, compared to say restoring an old two ton truck nostagia piece for retired farmers.
#3: Whereby your investment ones return may not be much greater profit % , but an old Chev redo compared to this auto, profit in actual $’s; a15K profit on Chev versus , a potential of 100+ K profit of Mercedes.
While cost of top quality rechrome is high, a huge difference can be found between firms that do such work.
There are firms in or around smaller metros, some pure industrial supply, that are far from Cali and east coast wealth auto lovers almost pure restoration shops, that one can dicker on price and not much time pressure upon them.
Some rechrome used to charge small order individuals a higher premium than their large or normal customers, it cost damn near same start up including labor to do 5 small parts as for 50 large ones.
As to recrafting a missing hard to find or non existing part, in todays world, 3D computers and machine tooling easily done.
Admittely not a whole auto or even a bumper. but to build say an old grille, clock radio or instrument bezels, yup.
I’m not even sure why I am trying to comment again, but just know that I am here because I am a car enthusiast with over 20-years of experience of doing jobs like this, and I am trying to help the car community here know what is a good buy and what is a bad buy.
A flippers dream is a 1965-66 Ford Mustang fastback or convertible that you can buy at a fair price with most of the work done to it, but maybe needs another 30 percent. All of the parts are reproduced and available at reasonable prices, and anyone in the world can work on them. Then you can sell the thing for $30 to $40K after buying it for $10 to 15K and make a tidy profit even if you don’t know anything about cars and have to pay other people to do the work. I’ve seen it done by others, and I’ve done it.
When you get a car like this Mercedes in this condition, you are much better off doing what this seller is doing. Unload it to someone who doesn’t know any better. I have personally helped flip three of these exact models and every one was a nightmare. You cannot 3-D print a hand-built Mercedes. Do you really think that’s going to fly at Amelia Island? Trust me, it will not.