This special order 220 SE Coupe is the most limited production model of the Mercedes-Benz “Ponton” lineage and comes fitted as new with an ultra-rare Webasto sunroof. With a well documented history, silky smooth performance capability, and having been restored to absolute perfection by Mercedes expert Don Mertz in its rare original color of 302 Derbyblau dark royal blue, this striking example comes with original fitted luggage and is ready for turn-key enjoyment as a blue ribbon show car or weekend getaway driver.
Highlights
- Chassis no 128037-10-002765
- Engine no 127983-10-000300
- Body no 128037-10-00312
- Matching Numbers
- The rarest Ponton Mercedes
- Optioned with rare Webasto sunroof
- Multiple concours winner
- Euro only DB 302 Derbyblau paint
- Beige leather interior with blue piping
- Burled walnut wood dash and door trim
- Becker Mexico radio
- Original fitted luggage
- Original books and tools
- M127 inline-6 engine
- Bosch einspritz mechanical fuel-injection
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Bosch headlights
- Original Auto-Henne Mercedes of Munchen badge
- 42,922 miles from new
220 SE Sunroof Coupe History
In 1958, a new era of Mercedes-Benz luxury began with the introduction of the fuel-injected 220 SE, the final iteration of the wildly successful “Ponton” lineage of cars. Prior to the introduction of the 220 SE, production of which spanned only two years from July of 1958 to November of 1960, Mercedes-Benz buyers had only the 300SL and 300Sc line of cars to choose from if they wanted the performance afforded by Bosch mechanical fuel-injection. The coupe body style is the rarest version of the 220 SE with only 830 2-door examples produced, far less than the cabriolet (1,112 produced) and 4-door sedan (1,974 produced) versions. Further amplifying the rarity factor of this special order 220 SE is the luxury optioned sunroof for open air enjoyment while driving without sacrificing the sought after elegance of the coupe body lines.
When new, fuel injected 220 SE coupes without a sunroof or other special order options would cost 10 to 20% more than the standard, non fuel injected predecessor 220 S model. The example offered here is one of a select few fitted with a Webasto sliding steel sunroof, an exceedingly rare option that increased not only the luxury aspects of the car in nice weather but also substantially increased the price above and beyond a standard 220 SE coupe.
In addition to the exceptional restoration undertaken on this rare Sunroof Coupe Mercedes, which rivals in quality the highest value model Mercedes’ one might find on the highest caliber international concours show fields never-mind other w128 chassis, this car has a known history from new along with superb documentation and record keeping. This special order 220 SE was first registered by Auto-Henne Mercedes of Munich, Germany on January 26th, 1960 under license no. M-MV 800. It was originally painted in DB 302 Derbyblau (dark royal blue), a rare factory Mercedes color only available in Europe, with nearly every surface of the luxurious interior covered in leather with a beautiful wood dash and ample wood trim along the windows. According to the original service book that comes with the car, it was serviced in Munich and in Frankfurt until it had driven 28,300 km’s (17,585 miles) as noted on August 21st, 1961. An import/export document with the car verifies its arrival/departure in Paris, France on March 30th, 1965 with it being registered next in Westerly, Rhode Island in the United States on April 18th, 1966. Also in 1966, the car was serviced in New London, Connecticut on Nov 1st, where it was showing 41,693 km’s (25,907 miles) at the time.
Per a Midas Muffler receipt for $103.45 dated December 2nd, 1978, the car was in the possession of Mr. Robert Scevers of Beaumont, Texas. According to a letter with references to title and bill of sale, Scevers sold this special 220 SE to Mr. Don Miller, also of Beaumont, Texas, on June 6th 1979. Miller would go on to own the car until 1993, when on Nov. 1st he sold the car to Mr. Edward Richardson of Rancho Palos Verdes, California. At the time of purchase by Richardson, the car was not running but complete (sans one small chrome piece) and was in a largely original condition throughout with no rust or accident damage. Richardson got the car running between 1993 and 1995, driving it sparingly, and in 1995 the car was sent to Don Mertz Restoration in Sun Valley, California to undergo a full nut-and-bolt restoration with 55,265 km’s (34,340 miles) noted at the time.
Over the course of four years, highly regarded veteran Mercedes-Benz specialist Don Mertz restored chassis 002765 to standards rarely, if ever, seen on a 220 SE coupe. Completed in its original exterior color of DB 302 Derbyblau (dark royal blue), the paint has been expertly applied and since completion kept in the highest of show quality standards. All pieces of the ample amount of chrome trim on the body have been restored giving a further accent of quality to the depth of the well applied Derbyblau paint. The upholstery, redone in beige leather with the Eurospec-only option of seat piping in dark blue, remains in superb condition with only limited signs of wear from the less than 6,800 leisurely miles that have been put on the car since restoration. The car retains its original Becker Mexico radio and every surface of the burled walnut wood which lavishly covers the dash and other areas of the cabin has been refinished to round out a breathtaking, luxurious experience rivaled only in period by The also fuel-injected 300Sc’s. Adding to the traveling comforts offered by the interior drivers cabin, the trunk compartment boasts a superb original set of tan, fitted matching luggage that has been restored by noted luggage specialist Oliver Dare.
Mechanically, and with no hyperbole, the car runs and drives flawlessly with the engine having been rebuilt by Ed Pink Racing Engines of Van Nuys, California. The car “cold starts” without pause, running as smoothly as it would have new while traversing the streets of Munich and Frankfurt in the early 1960’s. Every mechanical aspect of the car was attended to during the four year restoration and since completion the car has been maintained regularly through expert care via the likes of Bill Richardson in Phoenix, Arizona and noted Mercedes mechanic Steve Marx of Costa Mesa, California. At the time of completion of the restoration, the mileage was noted at 35,759 miles (57,549 km’s), with restorer Don Mertz having switched the odometer from kilometers to miles while setting the original mileage accordingly.
A brief note about Don Mertz, the restorer of this unique 220 SE Mercedes. As an old friend and respected colleague of our company, Don is a Scott Grundfor Company original founding member going all the way back to our beginnings in Los Angeles in the early 1980’s at Scott Restorations. Simply stated, and well understood by those familiar with the cars he has restored over the past four decades, Don is one of the finest craftsman the car restoration world has to offer. There are very few Mercedes specialists in the world with the sort of expertise and talent that Mr. Mertz possesses. He played a key role in Scott Restorations becoming known as a Mercedes-Benz authority in the early 1980’s, and the outcome of the restoration he undertook on this special 220 SE Sunroof Coupe is testament to his meticulous attention to detail in all of the facets that lay the foundation of truly world class restoration work.
On February 24th, 2012, this spectacular 220 SE sunroof coupe came to the attention of and was immediately purchased by well known Mercedes aficionado Dr. L. Philip Lutfy of Phoenix, Arizona. Lutfy, one of the most respected and avid Mercedes-Benz collectors in the United States over the past 50 years, has a well known reputation for owning superb examples of all manner of three pointed star makes and models. Having owned an enviable roster of over 100 Mercedes-Benz classics with concours awards too numerous to count, Dr. Lutfy knew that that the rarity of this coupe, with its restoration pedigree, original color and unique option set was too much of an opportunity to let pass him by. Since purchasing the car, Lutfy has driven the car sparingly and has kept it in his climate controlled collection facility where it has since lived and been pampered among many other exceptional Mercedes-Benz classics. Under this ownership, the car has been serviced regularly with meticulous record keeping, adding to the stacks of restoration records from the work performed by restorer Don Mertz. In its most recent public showing, it received a blue ribbon first in class prize at the 2018 La Jolla Concours d’ Elegance in the post war Mercedes class, a testament to its current pristine presentation and silky smooth road going abilities.
Finding a Mercedes-Benz 220 SE coupe in any semblance of good, usable condition is a rare find today. Beyond that, finding one of these very rare Sunroof equipped versions, of which only several dozen are thought to have been made, with a well known history from new restored that is also restored to the highest of standards in a very desirable rare and original color can fairly be described as unrepeatable. Now ready for new ownership, this 1960 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Sunroof Coupe is finely prepped for future concours showings or daily driving excursions and is confidently advertised as one of, if not the best of its kind. It retains its original service booklet, factory data card, original manuals and books, original tools, original ownership documentation from new, an exceptional set of original fitted luggage and even retains the original Auto-Henne Mercedes Munchen badge signifying the location of its first time being registered when delivered new in Germany. Fair to say, one will not find a better restored example of the 220 SE coupe Mercedes-Benz anywhere in the world, nor a better reason to take a relaxing drive on a warm, sunny day.
