1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet
1962 Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet
Lot details
Year: 1962
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: 300 SE Cabriolet (Ex-Peter Sellers)
Registration: 1105 PK
Chassis No: 11202322000939
Odometer: 20,286
• Originally owned by celebrated actor Peter Sellers
• First right hand drive 300 SE Cabriolet produced, body number 00001
• Displayed at Mercedes-Benz World for approximately eight years
• In current enthusiast ownership for 24 years
The Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet was among the most exclusive and expensive motor cars of its era, combining elegant coachwork with the very best of Mercedes-Benz engineering. Introduced in 1962, these beautifully proportioned grand touring cars offered an exceptional level of luxury, refinement and performance, with production numbers inevitably limited by their considerable cost. Powered by a 2,996cc fuel-injected, overhead-camshaft straight-six producing 170bhp, the 300 SE was capable of around 120mph and featured such advanced equipment as automatic transmission, electric windows and Mercedes-Benz's innovative self-levelling rear suspension. Today, these handsome Cabriolets are among the rarest and most desirable of the marque's classic models.
This particular example is especially significant, being the very first right hand drive 300 SE Cabriolet produced, confirmed by its body number, 112023 22 00001. Its original owner was none other than the late Peter Sellers, the celebrated actor and comedian, best known as a founding member of The Goons and for his remarkable film career. Sellers purchased the Mercedes from the Mercedes-Benz stand at the 1962 Earls Court Motor Show, with the car subsequently retailed through Woking Motors Ltd. The original buff logbook, bearing Sellers' name and signature, remains with the car, alongside a wealth of fascinating period documentation relating to his ownership.
Finished in Old English White with its original contrasting red leather interior, it was first registered as 1105 PK on 9th November 1962. The subsequent ownership history is unusually well documented, with the car passing through a number of known custodians before being acquired by our vendor in 2004. Interestingly, he had first become familiar with the Mercedes several years earlier, having regularly seen its then owner driving it around London. Having made enquiries at the time as to whether it might be for sale, he thought little more of it until, some years later, the gentleman in question arrived at his business premises and asked if he would like to buy the car. Needless to say, the opportunity was not missed.
A further rather special chapter in the Mercedes' history came about when our vendor visited Mercedes-Benz World and spotted a photograph of Peter Sellers with the car. On explaining to the staff that he was its current owner, they were understandably astonished and subsequently invited him to lend the Mercedes for display. It went on to spend approximately eight years at Mercedes-Benz World, where it became a particularly fitting part of the collection. It is therefore something of a homecoming that the car is now being offered for sale at the very same venue.
The accompanying history file is particularly interesting, containing the original logbook, a known ownership record, historic MoT test certificates, restoration invoices and period Mercedes-Benz literature, together with correspondence relating to Peter Sellers and his ownership including a copy of the cheque for £5,280, equivalent to four or five times the average yearly salary at the time! There are also contemporary magazine articles featuring the car and a fascinating photograph of Sellers with his Mercedes. With its remarkable celebrity provenance, first-in-production right hand drive status, distinctive original colour combination and 22 years in the care of our enthusiast vendor, this is an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire a genuinely important piece of Mercedes-Benz and British motoring history. Consigned by Fraser Smith
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