Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 202
1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 Chassis no. 109.018.12.003023
Sold for US$16,100 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 202
1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3
1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3
Chassis no. 109.018.12.003023
Chassis no. 109.018.12.003023
350ci OHV Chevrolet V8 Engine
4bbl Downdraft Carburetor with Custom Turbocharger
4-Speed Manual Transmission
Front Independent Suspension, Rear Swing Axle
4-Wheel Disc Brakes
*The classic W109 sedan meets turbocharged Corvette power
*Appropriately tough blacked-out cosmetics
*Custom Upholstery
*Requires recommissioning
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 300SEL 6.3
Building on the highly successful W111 and W112 series, the first Mercedes cars to be produced in great enough numbers to achieve economies of scale, Mercedes-Benz presented a newly developed luxury sedan in 1965 at the annual Frankfurt Motor Show. With production lasting until 1972 in Europe, and 1973 in North America, a total of more than 383,000 units of the W108 and W109 were built. Quickly changing fashion trends in the 1960s meant that the characteristic tail fins of the W111 'Heckflosse' predecessor, penned by designer Paul Bracq, were lost on the W108 and W109. Other less visible exterior modifications included a lower body waistline and wider doors. The resulting design was a visibly more modern and sleeker car with a more spacious interior. The W108 was the normal wheelbase version, whereas the W109, built in much smaller numbers, offered a longer wheelbase.
The W108 and W109 were available with a variety of engines to choose from, most being delivered with the characteristically robust in-line six-cylinder engines shared across the Mercedes range.
In 1966, in-house engineer Erich Waxenberger started work on a private project, involving fitting the massive 6.3-liter M100 V8 from the brand's 600 limousine into the W109's engine bay. The long wheelbase version W109 turned out to be well suited for the large engine, luxuriously appointed and packing thunderous performance. After presenting the concept to the public at the 1968 Geneva Motor show, Mercedes-Benz was duly impressed and put Waxenberger's idea into production and between 1968 and 1972. A total of 6,526 of these luxury limousines with near muscle car performance were delivered to wealthy clients.
At the time of its release, the 300 SEL 6.3 was among the fastest four-door production cars in the world and was easily capable of a cruising speed of 125mph (200 km/h). In a 1968 feature of Road & Track, the magazine concluded the 300 SEL 6.3 was "merely the greatest sedan in the world". The writers, impressed by the automobile's power, even took the car to a drag race at Orange County International Raceway, where it was only beaten by a 427 Corvette.
THE CAR OFFERED
This 1971 300 SEL from the Barry Taylor Estate began life as a one of the factory-built 'hot rod' 6.3 models, as designated by its '109-018' serial number. The M100 V8 is a glorious engine, but one with a reputation for being fabulously expensive to repair and rebuild. At some point in this car's life, the M100 was replaced by the ubiquitous OHV Chevrolet 'smallblock' V8, reportedly sourced from a Corvette. While some say there's no replacement for displacement, a big turbocharger offers a compelling argument against that sentiment – which this car happens to also have.
Finished in black, with a gray vinyl roof, it features blacked-out brightwork and bumpers to lend the appropriately sinister look. Additionally, it sits on a set of cool 80s-era turbine-style alloy wheels and wears a custom body kit comprised of a front air dam, side skirts, rear valance and rear boot spoiler. The interior is trimmed in black vinyl with charcoal striped fabric, white piping and black carpets to complement the exterior theme. Wood trim appears in fair order, and there's a nice Nardi three-spoke wheel – with black anodized spokes, naturally. Please note that this car has been in long-term storage, and its mechanical condition has not been evaluated. It has not been started while in Bonhams' care and will require recommissioning. With some mechanical attention and sorting, however, the potential to outperform the standard 6.3 lurks within this unique 300 SEL.
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