1977 Mercedes-Benz 350SE W116

This S class has ticked up a fairly modest 88,000 miles on the odometer and the vendor believes this car has only had four or five previous keepers. There’s proof of a transfer of ownership in 1981 - from husband to wife - but it looks like it had been in the same family from 1981-2019. It had been off the road for nearly 20 years until the dealer from whom the current owner bought this car had it recommissioned. The vendor bought the vehicle in 2019 because he loved how rarely you come across an old S class. He’s a reluctant seller, who’s enjoyed frequenting Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in the S class. The vendor says: “It’s not one of the fanciest cars but it still attracts a lot of attention and it’s those trips I’m going to really miss doing. The most memorable thing about it is that everyone wants to talk to you about it".

Since 2019, the vendor has made this car safe and sound to drive, but there remain some cosmetic improvements to the bodywork and interior that could still be carried out. The vendor explains: “It looks superb from one or two paces away, but retrimming the seats and new carpets are still to be done”. In the paperwork, you’ll find an invoice of around £8k which includes work on the brakes, steering, mechanical fuel injection and the injector bolts, among a few other things. He also replaced the starter at a ridiculous cost. All in all the vendor believes he’s spent the best part of £10k on it. When work was carried out the garage did a pre-MOT check, so it confirmed nothing needs doing to it from a usability perspective.

He's selling this motor because though it’s an occasional vehicle, he’s barely driven it over the four years he’s had it. In his words: “I just don’t use it. Storage is part of the problem and this is the oldest, most unusual car I have. It’s buried away behind three other cars. If it’s going to do no miles and languish in my garage it may as well go to a home where they’ll make it look lovely”.

The body is characterised by its long, clean lines and angular design, which give the car a sense of power and elegance. The body is generally tidy with some blemishes to the paintwork and evidence of rust and corrosion in places. There are imperfections on the bonnet and boot lid; the door edges are scuffed and there is evidence of rust around a couple of the wheel arches.

Overall the chrome work seems to be in fine shape. At the front of the car, there is a wide, chrome-plated grille with a central Mercedes-Benz emblem. The headlights are large and rectangular, and they are integrated into the fenders with slim, horizontal indicators placed just below them. The doors are long and feature a subtle ridge line that runs along the lower edge. The windows are relatively small and feature chrome frames that complement the car's overall aesthetic. The wheels are classic black Mercedes hubcaps.

Furnished in leather and wood with chrome accents, the interior is luxurious and spacious, though it would benefit from some attention in places. The large tan leather seats with adjustable headrests look very comfortable but they are rather worn. The driver’s seat dons a strong patina and a tear on its base. The rear seats are also spacious and can comfortably seat three passengers. The door card on the driver’s side is scuffed and there is a stain to the carpet by the front passenger seat.

The dashboard is simple yet elegant, featuring large, easy-to-read gauges and analogue dials. The steering wheel is wrapped in black leather and features a classic Mercedes-Benz emblem in the centre. The centre console houses the car's radio and climate control system, which are easy to use and well-placed for easy access.

The veneer dashboard and centre console add warmth and richness to the cabin's overall design. Chrome accents can be found throughout the interior, including on the door handles, air vents, and shifter knob. The car also features a spacious boot, providing ample room for luggage or other cargo.

The engine is a reliable and powerful unit, featuring a cast iron block and an aluminium head, with a single overhead camshaft and two valves per cylinder. The fuel injection system is a Bosch D-Jetronic system, which uses sensors to determine the amount of fuel to inject into each cylinder.Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic transmission, and the vehicle has a top speed of approximately 130 mph (209 km/h).

Everything looks solid and honest. All visible exhaust, braking and suspension components are present, correct and in what seems to be fine order, and everything in the engine bay is in its right and proper place.

The motor comes with a comprehensive service history up to 2008 – thereafter things get slightly patchy. Currently it is out of MOT, having expired in June 2019. In 2018 it passed with an advisory to fix a central rear fluid leak. This vehicle comes with its original maintenance booklet. Last year the car benefited from £8000 worth of restoration work. At this point, it had a comprehensive service, which identified that the car runs well but does not idle smoothy. To address the pains, it benefited from a cleanout and reassemble, a smoke test on the intake system, and a new split vacuum hose installed, among other things.

The W116 classic’s styling and design is elegant, sophisticated, and timeless. It features a sleek and refined exterior and a luxurious and comfortable interior, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate classic car design. This car is a good fit for someone to take on a bit of a project with huge potential upside. It’s a lot of car for the money as we imagine that a prospective buyer will have to part with somewhere between £8,000 - £12,000 to take this car home.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment 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, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.