This stunning 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220SE Ponton Cabriolet is number 28 of only 36 right hand drive models manufactured.
Built in August 1960, this car was fitted with all of the last updates and originally registered 8500W in the UK.
Sold by “Normand of Mayfair” in Park Lane London, it was brought to Australia in 1974 and was subsequently sold by Shannons at its very first auction in 1981.
It was later restored by Peter Beck in Malua Bay NSW sometime in the late 80s, then spent most of the next 20 years in Queensland with owners in Brisbane and Cairns before returning to Melbourne.
It has been in the current owner’s hands for the last eight years, during which time extensive work has been performed on the car including a complete repaint, new bumpers, new carpets, re-trimmed seats, re-veneering of all woodwork, restoration of the fuel injection system and rebuilding of many mechanical and electrical parts.
The cabrio is powered by a 2.2-litre six with a four-speed manual transmission.
For comfort, safety and reliability, the vehicle has been fitted with many improvements including front and rear lap seatbelts, modern radial ply tyres with a classic crossply look, electronic ignition, thermatic fan, quartz halogen headlight globes, and improved fuel and oil filters.
Following its restoration the car has won many awards at the MBCV “Concours d’Elegance” including the “Coupes and Cabriolets class” in 2017, “Best Paint” in 2017 and “The most Elegant car on display” three times.
This is an extremely rare car with some unusual features such as the 190SL-style floor gearshift and the later type winding quarter vent windows.
According to the MBIG (Germany) “Ponton Coupe and Cabriolet Register” there are only 10 RHD cars currently accounted for (that means still in existence).
The car comes complete with its original Becker radio, owner’s handbook, data card, workshop manual, spare parts catalogue, fuel injection data book, many receipts and some spare parts.
It is in superb condition and is being sold unregistered.
The bad news is that it is expected to fetch between $220,000 and $260,000 when it goes under the hammer at Shannon’s next auction in Melbourne on November 26.
CHECKOUT: Here’s a link to the auction
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