1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL

This Mercedes-Benz 220b ‘Fintail’ Sedan is a usable and largely unrestored example of the elegant W111 series car, which can lay claim to being the grandfather of the original S-Class. It is powered by a carburettor-fed 2.2-litre straight-six petrol engine, with rear-wheel drive through a floor-shift manual transmission.

An elegant post-war motor car, the W111 was styled by Friedrich Geiger, who also designed the famous 300 SL ‘Gullwing’ and the pre-war Mercedes-Benz 540K sports cars. The model is easily recognised by the tail-fins on the rear wings, inspired by popular American cars of the same era.

This particular car is an original right-hand drive example, which was purchased when new by Major H Wise; a member of the British armed forces who was stationed in Germany. It was used regularly on the continent, and there are early services on file from France, Germany, and Belgium. In May 1967 it was brought back to the UK by the Major having covered around 21,000 miles, and was sold to the second owner in 1974 when it had 56,681 miles on the odometer. He would go on to keep the car for nearly 35 years. The seller acquired the Mercedes-Benz last year, and is understood to be just the fourth owner from new.

Today, the bodywork is reported to be in good order, and benefits from a light restoration and glass-out respray carried out in 1998 by Mercedes-Benz specialist Trident in Uxbridge. The front wings were replaced with genuine OEM items at this time, ,but there is no known accident damage, and the seller reports only relatively minor blistering and surface rust in a few places. This includes on the rear doors, by the offside rear light, and around the rear wheel arches.

There is a touched-in paint chip on the boot lid, small scuffs on the bumper corners, and a slight dent in the rear bumper. Overall though, this 55-year-old classic presents in very good condition, and is certainly a smart cruiser that can be driven and enjoyed without worrying about getting the odd chip or scuff.

Turning to the interior, the trim is believed to be largely original, and is reported to be in excellent condition for its age. The black MB Tex vinyl has basketweave centre panels, and the seats are very smart with no rips or tears. The headlining is also in superb condition. There are red carpets throughout, which are in very good order, showing only some slight fading over the transmission tunnel. The seller notes slight flaking to the main wood dashboard panel, but the upper wood trim is in great shape. There are no reported electrical gremlins, with the lights, wipers, instrumentation and horn all working correctly.

The last scheduled maintenance was carried out in July 2020 at around 99,500 miles by a classic car specialist local to the seller. This consisted of an engine oil service, replacement of other fluids and filters, adjustment of the valve clearances, and rebuilt and calibrated carburettors. The handbrake was also adjusted, and four new Michelin X tyres were fitted.

Its most recent MOT test was on 14 October 2019 at 99,201 miles. After minor repairs had been made to the horn, windscreen wiper, and nearside headlight, the car passed with only one advisory regarding slight play in the offside rear wheel bearing. The Michelin tyres are in superb condition, having covered only around 200 miles. The underside is reported to have been recently inspected, cleaned, and treated with Dinitrol to protect against corrosion.

Accompanying the car is what the seller describes as “unbelievable service history and records of maintenance”, and nearly all old MOT certificates to corroborate the indicated mileage. An original owner’s manual, brochure, parts catalogue and two services books are also present, plus a period dealer map, the original German certificate of registration from 1965, and even the original Bakelite number plates. The paperwork is all kept in two large ring binders, and there are also two complete sets of keys.

This Mercedes-Benz 220b Sedan is a smart post-war classic with remarkably well-documented provenance that presents in very good order throughout. While the next owner could choose to commit to some cosmetic refurbishment of the body and paint, this is a mechanically sound example that is ready to enjoy on the road. The seller reports that it has a strong engine currently running in perfect tune, and that its road presence turns heads wherever it goes. A charming luxury car with room for family and friends, this example is sure to delight its next owner.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. This vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.

Car Overview

  • 99,646 miles
  • manual
  • RHD
  • Medium Red
  • Black MB Tex vinyl
  • 2.2L


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Lot Overview

  • Lot #01298
  • private Sale
  • Chesterfield, Derbyshire, United Kingdom

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1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL1965 MERCEDES-BENZ (W111) 220B FINTAIL
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