1971 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

W109 Classic -

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

109.056-12-004258

Gasoline

_____________________________________________ .............. 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 3.5 .............. .......... VIN # 109.056-12-004258 ......... .... Manufactured by: Daimler-Benz AG, Stuttgart, Germany - November 1970 .... .... Odometer is working - reads just 58,281 actual miles (only 1,457 miles per year on average) .... ....... Color Exterior: ‘Schwarz’ Mercedes-Benz color code DB-040 (black) ....... ....... Color Upholstery: ‘Cognac’ leather ....... _____________________________________________ The Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 3.5 was one of the last Mercedes models to be built by the team method. A highly skilled team would be assigned to each vehicle and would then see it through its completion. The ‘W-109’ cars, in Mercedes speak, were the last of an era of the ‘hand built’ Mercedes with the exception being the 600 series of limousines and one off vehicles built for heads of state and the like. Subsequent cars were to be built with the production line method with each worker only performing a few of the buildings tasks. Only once in a Blue Moon does a ‘one owner / low miles’ Mercedes-Benz 300SEL come on the market in totally unmolested condition ... never altered. Most are cherished possessions that seldom leave the family. Offered here at a very low reserve is just such an example, a ‘one owner" classic 300SEL ‘barn fresh’ where it has been stored since 1988. A rare find, indeed. The color is a deep black which is complimented by a ‘Cognac’ colored leather interior. As you can well see in this photo, the vehicle is at the bottom of its suspension travel being that the airbag assisted suspension is not charged. The air ride system is deflated and will need attention. Weather it’s the compressor or the air bags themselves is an unknown at the moment. The engine does indeed run but has not run long enough to recharge the air suspension system. About 10 gal of fuel was added to the gas tank ... which promptly leaked out due to small rust perforations in the tank attributed to water condensation having settled over its 23 years of storage, mostly expected. The engine was then run by bypassing the fuel system and started with the aid of starting fluid and run for about four to five minutes with this method. At this point the owner was asked by the Mercedes mechanic if he’d like to pursue this further ... his answer was ‘no, we’ve decided to sell it and let’s leave it there’. That is what is being offered here ... a a nice looking, running Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 3.5 that will need further attention to the suspension system ... perhaps other items as well such as a recharge for the A/C and the like. The vehicle has been stored for 23 years and will need a through going over to be safe a roadworthy for its next proud owner. When run, the engine had good compression and good oil pressure as indicated by the dash instrument gauge ... this all indicates that the timing chain, etc. are apparently in good condition With prime examples of the 300SEL model now comanding upwards of $35,000, this vehicle is well worth giving serious consideration to. Please take a look at the many photos I have provided here and decide of this is the classic Mercedes for you. The sunroof was a rather pricey option when new but a nice feature to have. You will find here a few items that are wrong with the car and many, many more items that are 100% right ... surly a nice starting point for any level of restoration. From a daily driver to a Concours d’Elegance show car it’s your choice. Let’s have a look at just how nice the interior is ... Burl wood throughout ... that, with supple leather and chrome accents give this era of Mercedes a look and feel that was soon to disappear from the Mercedes line. 58,281 actual miles (only 1,457 miles per year on average) The Cognac colored leather seats, both front and rear, are rip and tear free as shown in these photos. Separate driver’s and passenger's arm rests are a nice feature. The original ‘Becker Europa’ radio and the factory installed ‘Behr’ A/C system were both expensive and desirable options at the time of production. The windows as well as the sunroof are electrically operated. The carpets are real wool and not some less expensive synthetic material as used today. The burl accents throughout are all in fine condition ... even the burl trim near the defrost vents at the windshield, which more often than not are deteriorated from both sun and condensation. The leather rear seat is as nice as the front ... Cognac colored supple leather. The color doesn’t show so well in these two photos. A center armrest folds down but is not shown that way in this photo. The net map pockets on the backs of the front seats are in fine condition and are not sagging from use and age as is often the case. Their are 3-point seat belts for both front seats as well as three 2-point belts for the rear seat. All door panels are in fine condition with burl accents at both at the window surrounds as well as the belt line trim. Both front door panels have the handy map storage pockets. All door bottoms are rust free with the exception being this right rear door that has a minor amount. The next group of photos are pretty much self exclamatory ... showing the fine points of quality workmanship and various details of this 300SEL. This photo shown a dent that is the only real body flaw on the vehicle ... not a hard fix. The wool material on the real shelf has deteriorated with sun and age as shown ... not surprising for a 40 year old un-restored vehicle. This 300SEL has the optional cast aluminum ‘over riders’ on both front and rear bumpers. The bumper chrome and body trim is not all pitted and scratched with age ... it could use a good buff, but that’s all. The rubber trunk mat is brittle and stained with age ... you’ll want to replace this. A spare tire and factory tool roll are included with the dale (not shown here). The engine is a V8 - with overhead camshafts (M116) with Bosch electronic fuel injection. 3,499 cc. (213.5 cu. in.) - 230 hp SAE @6,060 rpm (Max speed 127 MPH) Air filter removed for these photos but included. The transmission is an automatic. The stamped ID tag in front of the radiator shows some of the various option codes. Mercedes aficionados will be able to decode all the numbers. Here’s a few I was ale to do: * 580 = A/C ... 491 = US version ... 503 = Becker Europa’ radio ... 531 - power antenna ... 250 = Cognac leather. The VIN tag located at the left side of the windshield showing ‘109.056-12-004258’ The builder’s ID tag located on the driver’s side "B’ post. Shows a build date of November 1970. All four wheel covers are in nice condition as shown. And, just a few photos to review what a nice example of the breed this Mercedes 300SEL 3.5 is. ________________________________________________ Full disclosure is what I'm after here .... I want you to know what your buying. This 1971 Mercedes-Bend 300SEL 3.5 is not perfect in every way ... with minor attention it could be as fine an example of the model that one could ever expect for a 40 year old vehicle. There are minor imperfections as one would well expect ... very minor indeed. Some very slight paint chips and a few minor scratches that can't possible be shown in photos like these. It's not new but it's a great place to start on any level of restoration. If there is something I haven't covered please feel free to give a call at 410-310-3543. If your in the market for 1971 Mercedes-Benz that needs minor restoration ... then this one is well worth considering. Please have a look at all the photos I’ve provided here and then decide for yourself if this is the one for you. I will be glad to help in any way I can ... please don’t hesitate to ask. I’d like to make your eBay buying experience a pleasant one and will do what I can to make it so. This vehicle has a free and clear title that can be easily transferred to its new owners. The title will be conveyed to the new owners once full payment has been received. If I’ve missed anything here, please feel free to drop me a line or give me a call at (410) 310-3543. I’ve done my best to describe this vehicle in an accurate and honest fashion ... if I’ve missed anything please let me know. Note: I'll add addendums to this listing as necessary. Please check back for updated information. This Mercedes-300SEL is located in Easton, Maryland (Maryland's beautiful Eastern Shore ... Zip Code 21601) which is about 1-1/2 hrs. east of Washington, DC ... about 1-1/2 hrs. southeast of Baltimore, MD .... about 2 hrs. south of Philadelphia, PA and about 3-1/2 hrs. south of New York City. Still have questions? Please feel free to give me a call @ (410) 310-3543. It is subject to prior sale and I reserve the right to end this auction at any time. Please consider viewing this Mercedes 300SEL in person before you bid as your eBay bid is a binding contract. I'd be happy to show you it's many features. There is absolutely nothing to hide here. If you're thinking about shipping this 300SEL home .. I may be able to be of assistance. I've done this a couple times in the past and can help to put you in touch with a reasonable shipper and then meet with the driver when he comes to pick the car up. It can be just that simple. Any questions? If so, please feel free to cal me at 410-310-3543. My name is Peter and I’d be happy to help in any way I can. The fine print ... Terms and conditions of sale: As with most used vehicles this one is sold as is - where is without warrantee either expressed, implied or otherwise. A nonrefundable deposit is to be paid within 3 days of the close of this auction equal to 20% of the selling price by either Cash or Direct Wire Transfer. The balance to be paid by either Cash or Direct Wire Transfer within 7 days of close of auction. Pick up of the vehicle to be accomplished within two weeks of the close of the auction or at a mutually agreed upon time between the seller and the winning bidder. If the vehicle is left longer than either the two weeks or the agreed upon time a $10.00 per day storage charge may be assessed. Transportation cost, if any are incurred, are the sole responsibility of the buyer. If you don't agree with these terms and conditions or are not serious about purchasing this vehicle (read this "don't already have the money") then please don't bid as I wish to have a real sale at the end of this auction. Persons with negative feedback may have their bids canceled at the seller's discretion. This vehicle is subject to prior sale. Good luck with your bidding. ~Peter - (410) 310-3543 On Apr-27-11 at 16:05:40 PDT, seller added the following information: Addendum : Additional photos of some fine points ... This photo shows the driver's side trunk well (looking down) ... some light surface rust here as shown. About the same for the passenger's side trunk well (not shown). I didn't pull the rubber trunk mat as it's all brittle with age and would make a real mess ... I did thunk all over this area with a mallet and found so soft spots whatsoever. Nice and sound. Driver's side shock tower in trunk. Passenger's side shock tower in trunk. Close up surface rust on the forward two inches of the bottom of the passenger's side rear door. No rust through and no big deal. This photo taken just behind the passenger's side 'B" post. Driver's side front door sill ... light surface rust as shown and a brittle rubber tread plate. Passenger's side front door sill ... rust free as shown. Driver's side rear door sill ... rust free as shown. Passenger's side rear door sill ... again, rust free as shown. Looking at the back of the front left (driver's side) wheel well ... in nice condition as shown. All four wheel wells are in similar good condition. This ends the addendum. __________________________________