1966 Mercedes-Benz 250SE W111

The Mercedes-Benz W111 250 SE Cabriolet stands as a masterpiece of 1960s luxury, tailored specifically for the grand touring demands of the emerging European highway network. It was the ultimate choice for the discerning driver who prioritised understated engineering over loud aesthetics. Yet, the car’s true elegance radiates from within; by sparing no expense on materials, Mercedes-Benz created an interior environment that feels deeply bespoke rather than merely manufactured. Largely built by hand at Mercedes' Sindelfingen plant, the 250 SE Cabriolet was the rarest production variant of its line, crafted only during a brief two-year window from September 1965 to December 1967, with just 954 units produced. Paul Bracq’s masterful design opted for smooth, timelessly rounded rear wings that serve as an exercise in elegant restraint. Inside, the cabin is enveloped in thick, hand-formed solid hardwood veneers. The cabin exudes mechanical integrity, where each control clicks with the weighted reassurance of a bank vault. Every control operates with a tactile, satisfying precision reminiscent of a heavy bank vault, while the upright instrument cluster lends a commanding, stately feel to the entire driving experience. Power comes from the 2. 5-litre M129 inline-six engine, featuring an advanced Bosch mechanical multi-point fuel-injection system. Upgraded with a robust seven-bearing crankshaft, this remarkably smooth and refined powerplant transformed the 250 SE into a true long-distance express. Mirroring this effortless mechanical character, the W111's chassis behaves as a dignified, ultra-smooth grand tourer engineered to swallow continents with ease, rather than a sharp, corner-carving sports car. First registered for the UK market in June 1966 and showing just 35, 000 miles from new, this exceptionally presented example is finished in timeless White over a luxurious Navy Blue Roser leather cabin. The vehicle was cherished by its first owner for 18 years before being sold to a well-known Midlands motorcycle business owner. It was gently refreshed during the late 1980s and 1990s, when it received a cylinder head refresh, a factory-replacement gearbox from Mercedes-Benz Germany, and a new soft-top hood, before being stored in dry conditions and used sparingly.