It's based on the iconic 300 SEL 6.3 (W109) and has a fascinating backstory.
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 is an icon amongst performance sedans. Introduced in 1968, Mercedes decided to shoehorn its 247-horsepower M100 V8 under the bonnet of the gorgeous W109 (an S-Class predecessor) and a host of luxuries, air suspension, and ventilated disc brakes. Sadly, this vehicle was never offered as a coupe – unless you count the unique specimen pictured below.
With one-of-a-kind Pininfarina bodywork, this is the only two-door 300 SEL known to man. Not much is known about this car, but it was reportedly purchased new by a Dutch industrialist with a penchant for left-field design. He approached Mercedes-Benz to create a custom W109 two-door, but the German giant refused. Off he went searching for a company that would cater to his whims.
Pininfarina was all too happy to create bespoke bodywork for the Benz and set about transforming the baroque sedan into something more contemporary.
The design house drastically changed the appearance of the Benz. According to Drive-My, Pininfarina got to work in 1969. While the wheelbase, track, and overall length remained the same, Turin's preeminent style gurus built a new hood, doors, trunk lid, and wings by hand from steel and repositioned the A and C pillars for a more rakish look. The car's roof is three inches lower than a 300 SEL 6.3.
It still carries traditional Mercedes cues, though. The front end is dominated by the “sports car face” grille and is flanked by two vertical headlights that wouldn't look out of place on a W113 Pagoda or the W114/5, a predecessor to the E-Class lineup.
The rear is arguably the most exciting part of the Mercedes. From this angle, there's a striking resemblance to the Rolls-Royce Camargue, another Pininfarina-designed luxobarge that appeared in the mid-'70s.
For some reason, the coupe's existence has been kept a secret. Not only is there no record of it in Pininfarina's history, but even the owner wished to remain anonymous. For years, it was thought to be owned by the head of Heineken, but this is not true. Whoever he was, this titan of business certainly had substantial coffers. The vehicle cost a lavish 400,000 Guilders in 1969, which, according to our calculations, works out at $897,000 in today's money.
Any person willing to spend that much money on a custom car must be a gearhead. According to the owner's family, however, he was far more interested in unusual cars. “No sports cars or anything like that – it had to be sound and solid. Above all, he wanted to be able to trust the mechanicals.”
And while our mystery man was besotted with his Benz, his relatives weren't.
Unusually for a two-door car, the Mercedes was piloted mainly by a chauffeur, carrying its owner to and fro. According to several sources, his wife despised the vehicle and was said to prefer driving around in a humble Beetle. The spouse and their five kids claim Pininfarina made a mistake when building the car, with a design oversight causing exhaust fumes to permeate the cabin. Not only is that unpleasant, but it's also downright dangerous.
Despite their grievances, there's no denying this is an extraordinary creation. Based on the images, this vehicle will require some TLC, with traces of rust and scratches scattered across the coach-built bodywork. The interior, however, presents beautifully and is finished with the finest materials. Remember, this car comes from a time when Mercedes really did engineer its vehicles like no other.
Of course, the engine is the true highlight of the 300 SEL 6.3.
250 hp may not sound like much, but it was an astonishing amount back in the '60s. Up until then, Mercedes produced respectable six-cylinder luxury sedans. However, the introduction of the iconic 600 ultra-luxury limos forced the company to develop a mighty V8.
The story goes that Rudolf Uhlenhaut (the man behind the 300SL Gullwing) heard a V8 roar past his office at full speed. Perplexed, he asked Erich Waxenberger what it could be. The test engineer admitted that he had been secretly working on a V8-engined SEL after work hours without his superiors knowing.
Uhlenhaut was so impressed he persuaded Mercedes to put it into production. Just 6,526 examples were ever built. But, if you want the most exclusive example, you will be pleased to know this vehicle is being offered by Bonhams and will be auctioned off at the Quail Auction on August 18.
The Mercedes is estimated to sell for between $400,000 – $600,000. We have no doubt it will attract these big figures, owing to its rich backstory and design.
Keyword: One-Of-A-Kind Mercedes Designed By Pininfarina Heading To Auction