1961 Mercedes-Benz 220 SEB

Fitted with the most powerful engine in the range, this left-hand drive Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb is finished in White (colour code 50 G) with a very good black leather interior.

Complete with a wealth of documentation, it was built in 1961 before being delivered to its first owner in Kansas in 1962. Still very original, we’ve rarely seen a better history file – and that paperwork also suggests it may well be showing the correct mileage.

It starts and runs so well that the owner, who is still the car’s first UK keeper, drove it the 160 miles from the port of Southampton to his home. He then drove it more than 100 miles to us in one hit, which shows the appropriate faith in a car he’s clearly adored. “It drove flawlessly”, he said when he arrived. “There were no issues. No fuss. No drama. I’m gutted I’ve got to sell it.”

White might not be the most adventurous colour but its clean simplicity allows the underlying shape to shine, and there’s no denying the W111 two-door coupé is a helluva good-looking car.

As is common, the 220 SEb has been the subject of ongoing refurbishment and curation over the years with the paintwork having been refreshed in places. It’s not a bad job but the colour match isn’t quite there in some areas. Take a look at the bills though. They’re tiny, which suggests that whatever work was done wasn’t widespread or serious.

As you can see, it sports very good shutlines, ripple-free flanks, and a decent gloss to the finish; in other words, it presents very well and could be left as it is or further improved depending on the new owner’s proclivities.

The chrome trim is, as you can see excellent. Straight and free of rust, which is how we like it. There is no serious rust or corrosion on the underside.

Ditto the wheels and ornate hubcaps, which are all good. They’re fitted with a matching set of Toyo 800 Ultra tyres (‘Premium Touring Tyres’, no less) too, all of which look to have decent tread left on them. The original set of crossply tyres come with the car.

l never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

Work to do? Well, apart from the slightly mismatched paint we mentioned earlier and the stonechips that are inevitable on a car with such a high, bluff front, some of the rubber seals are starting to perish (mainly the windscreen and rear window) and will be due for replacement shortly.

The windscreen is starting to delaminate in the offside bottom corner, and there’s a small dent on the rear bumper. Oh, and the windscreen wiper arms have been removed at some point, so that’ll need sorting.

The black leather interior is as gorgeous as it is expansive. Beautifully patinated – and shouldn’t every classic German luxury saloon have a patinated black leather interior? – its somewhat sombre hue is lightened by a white steering wheel and gearknob, ornate chrome controls, and some of the nicest woodwork we’ve seen in a while.

The front seats, with their chromed and patented Keiper geared adjusters, are in fine fettle. Low-backed and wide, they’re very comfortable and look terrific.

The rear seats are just as nice. Plump and offering a decent amount of legroom, their condition is very good.

A light brown headlining, which is taut and undamaged, further lifts the mood of the cabin and the complementary carpets are topped by the nicest overmats of 2023. (So far; if you know different we’d love to hear from you…)

In fact, they’re so nice that the overmats have overmats to protect them. How’s that for fastidiousness?

The woodwork is stunning. Take a look at the instrument binnacle for starters, and then feast your eyes on the centre cubby. And the dashtop trim. And the A-pillar covers. It’s all utterly lovely and while it’s condition isn’t perfect, it’s not bad at all and there’s no denying the skill with which the whole lot has been styled and crafted.

The steering wheel is another highlight. As satisfying to look at as it is to use, its design is echoed in both a gorgeous gearknob and a matching control stalk.

The seller tells us that it was the details that impressed him the most. How smoothly the windows rise and fall. How good the chromework is. We agree.

And yet, for all that, there is some work to do – but only a little. The Becker Mexico radio searches for a signal and while the aerial is in place it doesn’t make a noise. It could just be that the Americans use different frequencies to us.

A seam on the top of the rear seat has started to ease open too, but that’s about all we think you’ll need to look at.

The engine bay is workmanlike but no worse. Those with a penchant for polishing will enjoy detailing it while everyone else would probably be happy getting it professionally cleaned once and then wiping it over with a rag every now and then.

The straight-six engine fires straight up and runs very well, idling nicely and revving as it should. As we mentioned, the seller used it for a couple of decent mid-distance trips without suffering anything other than car envy from passing drivers.

The first owner apparently used it for a few years before putting it into storage for 20 years. A doctor then bought it and used it only sparingly on sunny days and for local trips.

The seller imported it himself in January 2022. With a lifetime in the motor trade, largely as a Mercedes-Benz dismantler, his experience means he knows a good car when he sees one and this one’s condition and originality stood out.

He imported it from the ‘States based on nothing more than a few photos and his gut instinct and he was relieved to discover his faith hadn’t been misplaced; he’s seen more than his fair share of rusty Mercedes over the decades and says this one is utterly solid.

That said, there is some ambiguity about the chassis number. The chassis plate on the radiator support panel says 111.021-10-018994 which matches the VIN recorded on the V5 registration document. However, there is a secondary stamping on the same panel of 111.021-10-01231, which matches the chassis number recorded on the plate inside the door aperture.

The rest of the supporting information is fabulous. Comprising history from its time in the United States, the file includes the original – and voluminous - book pack. This is more comprehensive than any we’ve can recall seeing and it even contains the handbook for the wonderfully named Artic-Kar air-conditioning.

The paperwork really is in a staggeringly good condition and hints at how well-loved the Mercedes has been over the years.

There are also letters in there that lead the owner to think the mileage is probably genuine.

The W111 doesn’t have a current MoT certificate, and while it is exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it MoT’d at the earliest opportunity. The cost of an MoT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic vehicle, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner (and any subsequent purchasers) but might also be invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies…

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear.

At a time when the world and his dog are driving the Citroen ID/DS and thinking themselves unironically cool, the opportunity to get behind the wheel of something undeniably cooler and much rarer should be taken seriously.

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 numbers will read somewhere between £30,000 and £40,000 by the time the dust has settled., which is 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 Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. 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’.