1970 | Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 3.5

A real ‘barn find’, this rare, UK-supplied W109 300SEL 3.5 has laid dormant for over 42 years. It offers a fantastic opportunity to restore a super-original, unmolested example.

Supplied new by Charles Sidney of Bradford, it has had just two owners from new. The second owner purchased it in the middle to late 70s then garaged and barely used the car. The road tax ran out in 1978 (the disc is still in the window). In 1982 there was evidently a plan to use the car again as it was MoT’d, but we think that this was the last journey it made as the odometer now reads four miles over that noted on the MoT certificate. The car came to light, as is often the case, after the passing of its owner.

This car barely spent eight years on the road. The last owner’s daughter remembered travelling in the car once as a child over 45 years ago when it was in immaculate condition. Then, for reasons we will never know the car was entombed for the next four decades.

Finished in Silver Grey (180) with black leather upholstery, column-shift automatic, electric sunroof, Becker stereo and electric windows.

The car has all its original books and manual, data card, original guarantee certificate and service book. There’s even a full service history with the supplying dealer up until 1976 at 97,681 miles with 13 stamps in the book.

The mileage today in 100,919 miles.

The body has areas of surface rust on its panels from storage. However the only panel we think would need to be replaced is the boot lid. The underside, having spent so few years exposed to road salt, is extremely solid and original – the sills, floors and inner wings are all good.

The interior is generally in lovely condition. It has not suffered from damp or rodents or UV damage. The majority of the interior simply needs a good clean.

The engine is stuck, which is unsurprising after so many years.

Air suspension W109 300SEL 3.5s are very rare as right-hand drive UK-supplied cars as they were very expensive new. As a restoration project this is an ideal candidate as it has not been welded, painted, filled or bodged in the past. It is extremely original and complete with a solid chassis, very good interior and all its books.