1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 - today's tempter

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 14.04.2022

1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 - today's tempter

1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 - today's tempter

1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 - today's tempter

1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 - today's tempter

Big Benz

In the years before the GT-HO Phase III Falcon ruled the roost, Mercedes-Benz’s 300SEL 6.3 was purportedly the world’s fastest production four-door. The feat was achieved by wedging the flagship W100’s 6.3-litre V8 into the usually six cylinder-powered platform.

UC Journo Cliff Chambers pointed out the sedan’s wild characteristics in a 2014 review: "So great was the torque liberated by the V8 under full throttle that the 300SEL nose lifted like a speedboat’s, and things didn’t level out until you were travelling at close to 80km/h. US tests claimed to have recorded 0-97km/h times of less than six seconds, but the generally accepted figure is 6.5sec – still astounding for a car geared to reach more than 210km/h and weighing 1740kg."

This 300SEL was delivered to Australia in 1970, and is described as a museum-grade turnkey example with thousands of dollars in receipts. It’s being sold by Melbourne’s Lorbek Luxury Cars with an asking price of $129,990.

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