1965 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE

This car is offered from outside of the European Union. It has been imported under temporary admission customs bond and is therefore subject to Dutch import tax (9%) on top of the winning bid price. Cars less than 30 years old will pay 10% Dutch import tax plus 21% VAT on the hammer.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, as their proof of purchase.

This vehicle has been on static display for a number of years and the documented history available is limited to that displayed in our photography section.

We have not tried to start or drive the car, and cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is sold ‘as seen’. Registering the car will be for the winning bidder to do.

As CARS Europe BV is the guarantor of all customs duties and taxes for vehicles within Dutch customs bond, the car cannot be released to the buyer or transporter immediately after the sale. For all enquiries relating to Customs, please contact CARS Europe BV (contact details below).

Purchases will only be released once cleared funds are received. All vehicles must be collected after the payment of funds. All storage charges must be paid in full prior to the vehicle’s collection or onward transportation.

Storage charges payment must be arranged with the storage company. Collection is strictly by appointment only.

Please send a booking email to the storage centre to ensure vehicle(s) are ready at time of collection. Photographic ID will be required at time of collection. If a third party is collecting for you, then written authorisation is required in advance from you and photographic ID of the third party is required at the time of collection. Collection either by buyer or third party is only possible for vehicles within customs bond if applicable import taxes paid are paid to import into country of bonded storage location.

As soon as the seller receives your payment, the accounts department will send a release note to the manager of the storage facility where your car(s) is stored.

CARS Europe BV will contact you just after the sale to confirm onward transport requirements. Direct contact at CARS for enquiries is as follows; Joanna Herlihy, +31 (0) 252 682 526, +44 7483 433912, joanna@carseurope.net.

STORAGE CHARGES - €30 + local VAT per motor car per day commencing from the sixth day following the auction end.

CUSTOMS CHARGES - €500 per motor car (plus applicable permanent import taxes from bond).

Built in 1965, this LHD auto 300 SE was bought for the vendor’s collection of static display cars in 2019. We understand that it had been living in Austria prior to the sale.

In common with many vehicles from the vendor’s collection, the car comes with no history or service records.

We haven’t tried to drive this car and can therefore only comment on its cosmetic condition.

It is, however, quite clear that this car is in exceptional condition and has been properly cared for over the course of its long life.

Odometer: 63,002 km.

The condition of the bodywork and paint finish is really very good indeed.

There are no dinks, dents or creases of any significance and the paint – black on the roof, silver elsewhere – has plenty of shine and lustre.

The panel gaps and shut lines are consistent and even.

The chrome work is mostly good, except for a couple of patches of missing chrome plate on the rear bumper and some loose trim around the passenger-side rear wheel arch.

The three-pointed star is missing from the bonnet.

The wheels, badging, lights and lenses are all good.

It presents extremely well from every angle and looks almost as good as new.

The interior of the car is in time-warp condition and looks as if it belongs to a car that rolled off the production line this year, not 57 years ago.

The check fabric upholstery is more or less pristine.

The seats are comfortable and supportive both front and back.

The carpets and mats are in good order and just require a decent clean in the front footwells.

All four door cards are excellent as is the headlining. The sunroof appears to be watertight, fits properly and is functional.

All the interior paint is very good and the wooden door cappings are rich and glossy.

The dashboard, steering wheel and instruments are equally impressive.

We can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

The boot is clean, tidy and in fine order.

It is really very difficult to find anything wrong with this car, but we did spot a strip of rubber trim missing from around the inside edge of the front passenger door.

Everything in the engine bay is clean, dry and seems to be in its right and proper place.

The undersides of the car appear to have a good deal of structural integrity and there is only the standard sprinkling of rust dust here and there.

This car doesn’t come with any history or service records.

It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

Any paperwork shown in the gallery is a facsimile and in no way constitutes any kind of licensing or registration certification.

We think this must be one of the best 300 SE ‘Fintail’ saloons out there.

It has evidently been maintained with care and diligence throughout its life.

Provided that the engine and mechanicals can be recommissioned and the structure of the car is sound, then this rare and much sought-after vehicle from one of the world’s great marques should provide its next owner with a great deal of classic motoring pleasure.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €20,000 - €30,000.