Highlights
- One of just 78 right-hand drive 300 SE Cabriolets ever made from a total of 708
- Bought new by factory Christopher Plummer
- Rebuilt 300 SL “Gullwing”-derived M189 straight-six
- Offered as a mostly completed restoration project
- Matching Numbers (Data Card and Chassis plates in photo gallery)
- Parts list from Niemöller required to complete project (photo gallery)
The Appeal
By the early 1960s, Mercedes-Benz was responsible for some of the most technologically advanced cars in the world. With the likes of Friedrich Geiger and Paul Bracq on the design team and the supremely accomplished, “Gullwing”-derived M189 straight-six engine ready to go, the sky was the limit as to what Mercedes could come up with next.
Introduced in 1962, the W112 300 SE Cabriolet was an engineering tour de force - boasting pneumatic self-levelling air suspension, Bosch fuel injection, power steering, four-wheel disk brakes and a four-speed automatic gearbox.
Naturally, such innovation came at a cost and so the W12 was the preserve of the rich and famous. This ultra-rare right-hand drive example was bought new by actor Christopher Plummer, a year following the release of ‘The Sound of Music’. In recent years, it has been subject to a comprehensive restoration which is now mostly completed. The owner has unfortunately been unable to finish the project, leaving it up to the next custodian to complete the final few jobs and return this stylish ‘60s convertible to the road.
The History and Paperwork
- Only 708 W112 300 SE Cabriolets were made, of which just 78 were offered in right-hand drive
- Bought new by actor Christopher Plummer, who later sold the car to the Earl of Bradford
- Subject to extensive restoration during recent years which is nearing completion
- The vendor estimates £10-15k in expenditure (parts & labour) remain in order to complete the project
- Qualifies for MOT and road tax exemption in the UK
- UK Road registered with registration mark KUL 518D
- The service history is limited to a copy of the original green tax book, along with the majority of invoices relating to the restoration
- The true mileage is believed to be 102,952 miles
The Condition
- The bodywork has been restored and repainted to a high standard
- The vendor points out a few small chips on the inside leading edge of the bonnet from where it was just set into place after painting instead of being bolted to the hinges - this is easily rectified
- Overpaintable stone chip protection applied to the underside beneath the green paint
- The front and rear wings have been replaced with now original Mercedes parts - which we're informed are no longer available
- The original tan folding roof is in very good condition and the vendor demonstrates that it operates correctly
- Original headlining
- Requires two new door handles, new boot lock and rear tail lamps
- Retains much of its original interior which continues to present very well
- The dash top leather which had to be replaced due to sun damage
- New carpets
- The seats, door cards and other upholstered items are all original and still have the original Mercedes-Benz date stamps on
- The seats have been recoloured to restore the original shade
- No signs of corrosion, damage or heavy wear
- Some reassembly is still required inside and out, although we understand the car to be mostly complete
- Complete with its wooden trim pieces
- The chromework looks to be in fantastic order, having been replated
The Mechanics
- Fuel-injected 2,996 cc M189 straight-six from the 300 SL
- Four-speed automatic gearbox
- Power steering
- Pneumatic self-levelling suspension
- Capable of reaching speeds up to 120 mph in period
- Full engine and suspension rebuild carried out
- new pistons, rings, bearings, oil seals, valve guides and seats
- The braking system is all new, the brake pipes are all new Kunifer nickel items
- The air suspension had all the bellows replaced, valves serviced and all the pipes have also been replaced with Kunifer nickel
- The transmission has been checked and serviced
- Not currently in running and driving order
- Propshaft currently disconnected
- The vendor notes that the new owner will need to source a new water pump and a few other mechanical components such as a new exhaust system
- Presents superbly under the bonnet
- Parts list from Niemöller required to complete project (photo gallery)
BEFORE YOU BUY
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