A stunningly original MBCA Silver Star Preservation Award Winner and 1 of only 954 Cabriolet 250SE examples produced with just 30,974 documented miles from new. Still wearing its factory white paint and a superb original black leather interior, this fuel-injected Mercedes-Benz is the rarest W111 chassis Mercedes model, has a rare 4 speed manual trans on the floor and comes with comprehensive record keeping from new, rare original 5-piece Hepco luggage, original California black plates, original books including original service booklet, original dealer sales brochures and unopened original tools.
Highlights
- 1 of just 954 250SE Cabriolet’s made
- MBCA Silver Star Award Winner
- Chassis no. 111023-10-086505
- Engine no. 129980-10-008542
- US delivery
- Original 050 G white paint
- Original 201 black leather interior
- Original Zebrano wood dash
- Fuel-injected 6-cylinder engine
- 4-speed manual floor shift
- 720 black soft top
- Becker Grand-Prix radio
- 5-piece Hepco luggage set
- Original California black plates
- Original service booklet
- Original books and sales brochures
- Original tools still in unopened plastic bag
- 30,974 documented original miles
It’s Only Original Once…
Scarcer than a 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet by 278 units, the 250SE Cabriolet model is the rarest of the W111 chassis Mercedes-Benz cars. The car is best introduced by the original 1965 sales brochure that accompanies it: “The 250SE convertible is built in Germany by Daimler-Benz craftsman in a special assembly division for the highest quality cars. Long, low body with sleek lines, completely retractable side windows without center pillar, wide doors, luxurious interior furnishings. Outstanding riding comfort, fuel injection engine, floor mounted gearshift and twin circuit brakes, discs on all four wheels. This spacious four-seater with room for two or even three adults in the back, opens a new perspective to the enthusiastic motorist; prestige and elegance with high performance. The handsome dashboard, in precious wood and leather, contains a comprehensive range of easily readable instruments. The elegantly styled rear deck contains a trunk of quite exceptional size…a set of special suitcases are optionally available to utilize the entire trunk, 5 suitcases for the Convertible version. Rediscover the exhilaration of driving in an open air car; feel the wind in your face, really see the countryside. This is what the 250SE Convertible offers you; the joy, and freedom of top-down driving. Enjoy the Summer Sun and the crisp Fall air, with never a worry about December’s icy blasts. This is a convertible that surrounds you in luxury, in silence, and in comfort, a powerful car…”
Further from the original brochure; “Every time you take the wheel of this Mercedes-Benz, you will discover again the pleasure of driving. The advanced 2.5 liter engine with manifold injection, 7-point supported crankshaft, overhead camshaft and thermostat controlled cooling, delivers 170 HP at 5,600 RPM. Smooth running at all speeds, this engine gives the Convertible true sports car acceleration right up to a maximum speed of 118 MPH. The significance of the “E” in the type designation “250SE” is “Einspritzmotor” – the fuel injection engine of world admiration. The exceptional performance is matched by the braking power; twin-circuit servo brake system with disc brakes on all four wheels and brake-pressure control valve for distribution of braking power. Its unique driving comfort and its sporting performance are created for individuals who demand something special in a motor car; sports car performance with sedan comfort; distinguished elegance without ostentation.”
This unusually well preserved 250SE Cabriolet is one of only 954 examples of its kind, all of which were produced during a short window of time between 1965 and 1967. This US Spec example was delivered new as part of the European Delivery program made available by US dealers to US buyers as a cost saving measure that required direct pick up in Germany. According to its factory data card, this fuel-injected “Einspritzmotor” 250 was delivered new in DB 050 G white paint with 201 black leather interior and a Zebrano wood dash, all which remains in preservation award winning condition today. The car delivered as a 4-speed manual floor shift version with additional specifications including single seats in front, power steering, an outside rearview mirror on the driver’s side, Becker Grand Prix radio, center positioned folding armrests in the front and rear, white wall tires, soft top fabric in black, 50 liters of fuel, a tinted windshield for heat absorption, black fabric soft top, coir mats and a complimentary first service.
250SE Cabriolet chassis 086505 was special ordered new by Thomas Van Dyke of San Francisco, California. Mr. Van Dyke took delivery of the car at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Germany on July 25th, 1966. On July 18th, 1966 prior to Mr. Van Dyke’s collection of the vehicle at Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft Werk Sindelfingen, the car received its first service with 300 test miles noted on the odometer. By late 1966, the car was shipped Stateside where it would remain in Thomas Van Dyke’s ownership for the next 31 years, during which time the car was treated to the most attentive of care and storage. In 1997, with less than 27,000 original miles on the odometer, the car would pass from Mr. Van Dyke to Dan O’Brien, a native of Covina, California. O’Brien continued Thomas Van Dyke’s tradition of care for the over the next 8 years and, in 2005, Larry Cunningham of San Bernadino, California became the car’s 3rd owner. Just as previous owners had, Mr. Cunningham stayed equally attentive to the importance of preserving the spectacular originality of the car while driving it on occasion and servicing it as needed.
After 6 years of ownership, Larry Cunningham sold the 250SE Cabriolet to well-known Bay Area Mercedes-Benz collector and aficionado Roy Spencer of Burlingame, California. Mr. Spencer, well known in Mercedes-Benz circles for his Mercedes Heritage newsletter and as a long standing authority figure on all things “three-pointed-star”, had known about this uniquely original W111 for many years, having lamented not buying it on a previous occasion. In 2011, when presented with a second opportunity to buy the car, Spencer did not let it slip past him again. Prior to completing his purchase, Spencer personally performed a full inspection of the car, confirming its exceptional original condition, noticing not only that the paint was almost all original, but also making particular note of the mint condition original leather in the interior along with the like-new original wood dash and gauges. In 2012, after 2 years of ownership, Roy Spencer sold the original 250SE to well known Mercedes-Benz collector Dr. L. Philip Lutfy of Phoenix, Arizona. Since 2012, the car has received more of the same excellent care so as to continue preserving its difficult to match original condition. After entering Dr. Lutfy’s collection, the 250SE was shown at the 2012 Starfest Concours d’Elegance; the first high end car show ever held on the lawn of the Arizona Biltmore hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. At this Mercedes-Benz only showcase event, this special 250SE won the prestigious Silver Star Certificate Award presented by the Mercedes-Benz Club of America (MBCA) for the preservation of originality and maintenance of functionality.
This well preserverd Mercedes retains the vast majority of its original 050 G white paint, still remaining in excellent condition throughout, including in the original wheel wells and the engine bay. The chrome trim compliments the original paint fittingly, with photographs doing little justice to the purity and mint originality of the car. Under the Lutfy ownership, the black soft top material has been expertly redone while taking care to retain the original headliner material. When the top is down, the factory installed original Roser leather tonneau cover still fits perfectly, remaining supple for regular use, and precisely matching the near-perfection of the original black leather of the interior. The original black leather hides and Zebrano wood dash, along with all trim pieces and gauges, are certainly a benchmark for preserved original Mercedes-Benz interiors of the same era. The superb condition of the black leather on the seats, door panels and dash is extraordinary, still retaining luster and the familiar smell of an old Mercedes interior. The dash, finished in Zebrano wood, still retains its brilliant gloss finish that sets an enviable standard for 50+ year old original wood on a car that has clearly seen no extended periods out in the sun. The gauges, similar to the rest of the interior, are superbly preserved as well, with the stylish, white padded steering wheel rounding out a remarkably clean overall appearance.
The engine compartment of this 2.5 liter fuel-injected 6-cylinder convertible mirrors the paint and interior in its stunning originality. The engine bay itself retains beautiful, undisturbed original surfaces that have only been cleaned and maintained since new. Beyond the original body color painted areas of the bay, the mechanical components of the engine itself appear to have never been taken apart with seemingly all original hardware in tact and undisturbed. Beyond the replacement of several hoses and other standard maintenance over the years, the fuel-injected “Einspritzmotor” is exactly as it left the factory in 1966. To emphasize the preserved original authenticity of the engine compartment, yellow painted factory witness marks remain, signifying an engine compartment that has remained dry and hidden from the elements since new. The mechanical functions of the car mirror the preserved original cosmetics, it is an exceptional driving car and engaging as a manual shifting W111. Expectedly, the car retains all of its original factory tags including body, engine and chassis, with all stampings remaining as original and correct per its data card.
The luxurious and large trunk space, a 19 cubic foot area with storage suitable for all manner of travel items, is one of the cleanest you will find on any Mercedes-Benz of the same era. The trunk floor is perfect and original, covered by the original rubber mat with instructional spare wheel tag hanging above. The original tools and lug wrench remain unused and still in the unopened original plastic bag labeled “250SE”. Occupying a large portion of the trunk space is a very rare and all original 5-piece Hepco suitcase set including the hat box. The car also retains its factory spare wheel and original jack. The undercarriage and wheel wells are expectedly clean, with some servicing work noticable underneath the car, otherwise remaining as it left Mercedes-Benz in 1966 with wear indicative of a car with very low mileage.
In person, this MBCA Silver Star Preservation Award Winning W111 Mercedes-Benz shines in a way restored examples cannot with a level of quality throughout that easily allows for it to compete at concours events in a restored car class despite being almost completely original. This special Mercedes-Benz retains its factory applied DB 050 G white paint and 201 black leather interior while having been driven only 30,974 original miles; a museum quality collection piece that is equally suited for every day road use and concours showing. As a lifetime California car prior to entering the renowned collection of Dr. Lufty of Phoenix, Arizona is 2013, this rare fuel-injected 250SE Cabriolet comes with an original 5-piece Hepco factory luggage set and a well documented, fully known history from new. It retains all of its original books including the rare original service booklet and two original 250SE sales brochures from 1965. It even retains its original tools which are still in the unopened, “250SE” plastic bag. An undeniably special preservation class post-war Mercedes-Benz ready for the next chapter in a life of incredible preservation of originality.
