"The Mercedes-Benz W111 was produced from 1959 to 1968 and was the chassis code given to its top-range vehicles, including four-door saloons with two-door coupés and cabriolets being produced from 1961 to 1971. Design of a replacement for the two-door Pontons began in 1957 as most of the chassis and drivetrain were to be unified with the saloon with the emphasis on the exterior styling. Some of the mock-ups and prototypes show that Mercedes-Benz attempted to give the two-door car a front styling similar to the Pagoda roadster. The rear bodywork persisted however and as such although officially still called a 'fintail', the rear end design had no chrome fin highlights. Production began in late 1960 and in February of the next year the coupé was premiered in Stuttgart for the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The convertible followed at the Frankfurt Motor Show a few months later and this was almost identical to the coupé with the soft-top roof folded into a recess behind the rear seat and covered by a tightly fitting bag. Unlike the previous generation of the two-door Ponton series, there was only one model for the two-door vehicle, the 220SE badge on both versions, with the identical 2195cc engine.
This lovely example was purchased new in 1963 from the Earls Court Motor Show by the famous comedian Arthur Haynes (Oscar Pennyfeather) and the car was known by his famous number plate OP1 which can be seen on the HPI. This is an original, matching numbers convertible which was number nine out of 192 and is presented in white with a black hood and black leather interior and still retains its original radio. Upon Arthur’s death in 1966, the car was stored by a family member and not used until 1995 when it was sold to the cars second owner. He also left it in a garage and did not use it but slowly restored it and since then the car has not been on the road but has recently been serviced by the present owner when the rear axle was rebuilt. The car comes with its original service book showing last Mercedes-Benz main dealer stamp was in 1967 at 35,000 miles which would lead us to believe that the current mileage showing is genuine. This is a rare piece of motoring history which still looks magnificent in its design.
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