1961 Mercedes-Benz 220 SEB Coupe

In the care of the seller since 2014, this delightful Mercedes-Benz 220SEb Coupé spent half a century in a private collection in Switzerland, staying with the same family throughout and holding the registration number ‘BE 21337’.

A left-hand drive model fitted with the four-speed manual gearbox, it sold in 2010 to its only previous UK owner via Bonhams in Monaco after which it made its way here and was issued with ‘863 UYH’ by the DVLA.

Twice restored in Switzerland, it’s covered a miniscule mileage since the most recent one and is said to be “an immaculate example of a much sought-after coupé” that is only being sold due to ill health. 

The coachwork is finished in silver with a gloss black roof, a colour scheme that shows off the Coupé’s debonaire lines to full effect.

As you’d expect given the quality of the restoration and the meticulous care it’s received since, the bodywork looks to be in a terrific condition. With perfect shutlines and panels that are very nicely aligned, the might of Mercedes-Benz’s dedication to building world-class luxury cars is evident, even after the passage of more than six decades.

The paintwork has a good shine to it, both coachwork and roof, and the chromework is in great shape too, with just a gentle patina that in no way detracts from either its shine or shape. 

Badges, window glass, lamp lenses, and windscreen are all also very good, although we note the headlamps are the original LHD items, so need stick-on beam deflectors to correct their beam pattern.

The seller replaced the tyres recently, electing to fit a set of 185/80R13 Maxxis MA-1 whitewalls, which look terrific. But the interesting part of the story is that the set that came off had been fitted in 1971 and still had tread left on ‘em.

Cynical? Shame on you: the seller has kept the tyres and they’re available as part of the package should you want them.

While the red leather seats are believed to be the original, much of the rest of the interior trim was restored in 1982 - and what an interior it is.

Crammed full of interesting and thoughtful design (take a look at the seat hinge mechanisms with their chromed and patented Keiper geared adjusters, for example) the patina it’s developing is, to our eyes at least, far more interesting than any better-than-new restoration with concours prizes in mind will ever be.

Not that this is an excuse for a scruffy cabin because nothing could be further from the truth; the front seats are still plump and springy, with that at-first-unyielding-but-actually-very-comfortable feel that’s unique to the marque.

Good though the seats are – and the rear seat is even better than the ones up front – but the star of the show has to be the dashboard, surely?

The instrument binnacle and some of the instruments, including the odometer, were replaced in 1982 and with some of the best woodwork in the business backed up by one of the nicest designs of its era, we can’t imagine ever getting bored of looking at it.

The door cards are excellent too, with only a few light marks along their lower edges, and the headlining is clean and taut.

The boot contains a full-size spare wheel (try finding one of those in your new Benz…). 

As you can see, it starts well. As for its cosmetic condition, the engine bay is neatly presented and shows clear evidence of recent expenditure and careful servicing. You might like to detail it but those of us with a more casual attitude towards our car’s cleanliness could still lift the bonnet and show it off without shame.

The owner gets the underside checked every year, which is further proof of his no-holds-barred attitude to maintenance. 

Built on the 27th April 1961 and first registered in May of the same year, the 220SEb stayed in the same Swiss family until 2010. Part of a small collection, the seller tells us that it “rarely went out on the road and then only in dry weather” and “in 1975 it had mechanical renovation and then in 1982 substantial work on the body. On both occasions work was carried out to a high standard by Mercedes.” 

The paperwork in the voluminous history file shows that the first restoration comprised having the engine, gearbox, rear axle, and propshaft replaced with genuine M-B items, while the second in 1982 involved four new wings along with “various other panels”, a respray, and some interior work.

The total cost for all this is thought to be in the region of 40,000 Euros and the paper trail that verifies it includes a translation from the original German into English, which was carried out by a chap called Otto who came here many years ago to help set up Mercedes-Benz Bradford and stayed here after marrying a local.

We are told the recorded mileage since 1975 has risen by only 35,000kms/20,000 miles, with only 10,000kms/6,000 miles of that being added since 1982.

The car has been serviced every year by a “fantastic mechanic”, with the only non-consumables it’s needed were an exhaust and a brake cylinder. 

The seller has used it for three family weddings plus the odd long journey and says it has been “exceedingly reliable”.

Further proof of the quality of the car’s curation comes with the fact that despite not needing one, the Mercedes not only has an MoT certificate but it was gained, like the previous three, with no advisories. It’s also got a decent length to run, expiring in November 2024.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the Mercedes comes with the book pack (including a rare Getrag gearbox manual, which isn’t something we see very often), a workshop manual, and a hefty file stuffed full of invoices, bills, letters, and hand-written notes.

At a time when Citroen ID/DS is the default for the bohemian freethinker, we can’t help but think that when the opportunity comes to get behind the wheel of something a bit rarer (and *whispers* better built) it’s worth exploring.

With an unimpeachable history and plenty of evidence of careful curation over the past decade, this Mercedes-Benz 220SEb appears to offer one of the rarest combinations in the classic car world: style and substance.

It’s more practical than you might think, too. Exempt from road tax, its ‘Historic’ status on the V5 means it’s also exempt from the Central London Congestion and ULEZ charge. This would make it an awesome car for smoking around the capital. #justsaying

As for how much it’s going to set you back, we think the dust will settle somewhere between £25,000 and £35,000, which is very good value when you consider that the best cars were fetching almost six-figures not that long ago… 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located with the vendor in Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.