Mercedes W111 Coupe

[henk4]

The new “Tailfin” S-Class Mercedes was presented in 1959 and as was the case with its predecessor a Coupe and Cabriolet version saw the light a little bit later.

The Coupes and Cabriolet were only available with the 2.2 litre SE engine, a very smoth unit with seven main bearings and indirect fuel injection. Underneath the body the W111 was little different, with fully independent suspension, the rear axle consisting of two swing axles, which were good for the ride but not the ultimate solution in road holding during vivid cornering.

The Coupe and the Cabriolet were extremely high priced, but still found many buyers, not in the least because of their very elegant lines.

The same body style was maintained over the years while the engine grew via 2.5 to 2.8 litre, while the even more expensive 300 SE version was about the most desirable car you could find in Germany in the sixties.

Even when the new S-Class was presented in 1965, the old style coupes were kept in production and benefited from the technical progress in the rear suspension, which had swing axles that pivoted around one point (Eingelenk Pendelasche) and reduced the swing radius of both wheels. (It took some convincing before Mercedes finally adopted a BMW type rear suspension).

Also new as the 3.5 litre V8 that turned the Coupe into a real grand tourer on the motorways. It was the first version that could reach 200 kph.

Some production figures:
220 SE Coupe/Cabriolet: 16902
250 SE Coupe/Cabriolet: 6213
280 SE Coupe Cabriolet: 5187
300 SE Coupe/Cabriolet: 3127
3.5 V8 Coupe/Cabriolet: 4502

The final year of production was 1971. Today these cars command high prices, because of their elegance, and their durability. Maintenance is still not the cheapest aspect of Mercedes ownership though

Shown are a 220 SE Coupe at the Concours D’Europe in Schwetzingen and a 250 SE Cabriolet at a fuel station in France, earlier this year.

[henk4]

here are two pics of a 300 SE, I apologise for the Cayenne to the left
Venue: Zolder 2003

[smxi]

Originally Posted by henk4

The new “Tailfin” S-Class Mercedes was presented in 1959

Gosh, this car is beautiful, simply gorgeous.

[henk4]

Here 2 pics of a 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet

[PerfAdv]

Why can't more aerodynamically efficient cars look this graceful...

[Spastik_Roach]

That black coupe is sex on wheels.

[whiteballz]

i must be missing the mercedes worshiping geneome..

i dont see anything particularly spactacular in the design

[Piacki_117]

such a beautiful car

[nicebumpers]

Mercedes W111 bumper is made of 100 % high stainless steel grade 304 thickness 1.5mmm and hand polished, high mirror polish, just like chrome and never rust. Back of bumper have 3 coats of paint smoothly.