1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220 SEB CABRIOLET

KEY FACTS

• A very low-mileage and handsomely presented example of the rare and elegant 1960s luxury convertible.
• Under the bonnet sits a 2.2-litre inline-six engine, sending up to 120bhp to the rear wheels through a column-mounted four-speed automatic gearbox.
• One of just 192 right-hand drive Cabriolets in 220 SEb specification, and one of only 319 produced across all open-top W111 variants.
• The car is currently located in Dublin and registered in Ireland; however, it was UK registered until December 2020 meaning importation and registration back to the UK is typically straightforward and should not incur any additional import duties or tax.
• Transport from Ireland to the UK mainland (England, Wales and lower Scottish counties) is included in the sale.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• Finished in a sophisticated Blue Metallic, the exterior of the car is complemented by an elegant Navy leather interior which extends to the door cards, and stunning wood veneers.
• The car is fitted with a column-mounted automatic gearbox, as well as the rev counter and leather upholstery that were standard equipment on the high-end SEb specification.
• The owner states that the only known modification is to the colour scheme: the paintwork was changed from Burgundy to its current Blue metallic, and the leather interior from Parchment leather to Navy.
• The car is accompanied by service and maintenance invoices from the last two years.

CONDITION

• There is no known bodywork damage.
• The owner states that the Blue Metallic paintwork is in good condition, presenting with a deep shine. The only noticeable imperfections are some micro-blistering on the bonnet, a small scratch on the rear wheel arch, and a handful of minor stone chips and blemishes commensurate with the age of the vehicle.
• All chrome is in excellent order, showing no corrosion and only very slight age-related wear, plus a few small bumper dents.
• Overall, the reupholstered interior presents well, with the seats and leather door cards showing small signs of wear and age-related imperfections. There is also a small nick on the steering wheel centre and some minor discolouration visible on the door handles. 
• There are no known mechanical or electrical faults.
• Due to the age of the vehicle, it is exempt from mandatory MOT testing.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The car was most recently serviced in May 2021 at 46,142 miles by Cardock Classics Ireland, a Mercedes-Benz specialist. This was in preparation for a 2,500-mile road trip to Switzerland and the brief was simple: failure was not an option. As a result, the car drives beautifully and is ready for immediate use.
• The owner states that during his ownership, the interior wood trim and twin headlights have been replaced. New alloy wheels, Hella fog lights and an electronic ignition have also been fitted.

SUMMARY

A truly striking example of Mercedes-Benz craftsmanship, the drop-top W111 boasts a timelessly elegant form, complete with tailfins reminiscent of classic American design. Featuring a sumptuous cabin and impressive ride quality and refinement, this well-presented Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb Cabriolet is a lesser-seen model on today’s roads, making it a compelling opportunity for any marque collector, and ready to be used as often as the next owner wishes.

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