Mercedes Benz loads their top of the line cars with everything they can and this is true of today's S65 series and the 300SEL series in the 1960-s and 1970's. Here we offer for sale a USA specification black on black 1971 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL luxury sedan with the 3.5 V8 engine. This model was a direct competitor for the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. A few years ago this car was fitted with the European headlamps that were originally intendedfor this model but were not available in the USA in the 1970's due to certain USA headlamp laws at the time that were repealed many years ago. Someone is selling a pair of these headlamps for $2000. on Ebay right now.This car haspower windows, ir suspension, utomatic four speed transmission, lectronic Bosch fuel injection, acuum door locks, adagascar Ebony wood trim, eather seats and leather door panels.
The Mercedes Benz 3.5 300 SELis a much more reliable and less complex car to maintain than the identical appearing 6.3 mechanical injected 300SEL while providing plenty of speed with the electronic Bosch fuel injection on a Mercedes Benz 3.5 V8 engine that was also fitted to the 350SL convertible. This car is very quick and as it has four wheel power disc brakes also stops well. This particular 3.5 engine is in very good condition, tarts quickly and runs smoothly with no smoke. The automatic transmission shifts smoothly. The air suspension and power steering is in good condition. The central door locking system works fine. I purchased this car froman elderly gentleman that owned the first Mercedes Benz dealership in Houston in the 1950's. Over the 15 years I have owned the car it has always been reliable and has never broken down. A lot of expensive renovating and restoring was done such as:
Replace front and rear seat upholstery with as per original leather upholstery. There are no cracks, ears or rips. The armrests and headrests are original.
Replace front three point retractable seat belt assemblies.
Replace the transmission shift indicator PRNDL
Replace the shifter bushings and fit a new shift know and gaitorReplace steering joint
Replace carpets and floor insulation
Replace headliner with original material headliner
Replace dash A/C and heater slide controls
Replace front and rear suspension air bags
Replace LHF door power window regulator
Replace RHF door power window regulator
Service transmission
Replace front brake rotors and brake pads, epack front wheel bearings rebuild front brake calipers with new stainless steel pistons, eplace front brake hoses
Rebuild rear brake calipers with new stainless steel pistons, eplace rear brake rotors, eplace rear brake hoses, eplace rear axle bearings and seals
Replace front and rear shock absorbers
Replace handbrake pads.Replace differential fluid
Rebuild power steering box, br> Remove fuel tank and have internally cleaned, ealedand treated. Replace fuel filter
Replace idle control valve
Replace engine mountsReplace headlamps assemblies
Replace spark plugs, ap and cables-fit Electronic ignition and new coil
Replace front suspension subframe mounts
Replace front suspension rebounds
ReplaceA/C compressor with a new, ot rebuilt compressor, nstall a new drier and new A/C hoses with modern hose materialusing triple crimped fittings for HFC-134A refrigerant.
Clean radiator and replace water pump, eplace radiator hoses and heater hoses. replace coolant
Replace belts and radiator cap.
About 10 years ago the car body was disassembled with the light, umpers, hrome and front and rear glass and door panels removed. The seats and carpets were also removed. The car was repainted the original color and reassembled with new front and rear windshield seals, new front windshield glass, ll four rubber door seals and trunk seal replaced and a new original rubber trunk mat was fitted. The cabin pollen filters were replaced. Michelin tires.
The radio is original and not working. These radios can be rebuilt by the original maker. The odometer has never worked since I owned the car and shows around 34K miles. I reckon the car has around 140K miles. The speedometer and all other gauges work fine. The odometer can be rebuilt but I never got around to it. This car is 45 years old and was built to last. The 300SELis a W109 model and were the last to be hand built by German craftsmen in a special factory Mercedes Benz used for their top of the line models such as the 600 Pullman.
This car would be considered good but the many mechanical updates and refreshing adds more to the true value of the car.
According to Hagerty Classic Car Insurance valuation definitions:
$38,900 Condition #1 vehicles are the best in the world. The visual image is of the best vehicle, n the right colors, riving onto the lawn at the finest concours. Perfectly clean, he vehicle has been groomed down to the tire treads. Painted and chromed surfaces are mirror-like. Dust and dirt are banned, nd materials used are correct and superbly fitted. The one word description for #1 vehicles is "concours."

#2 Excellent$27,600 #2 vehicles could win a local or regional show. They can be former #1 vehicles that have been driven or have aged. Seasoned observers will have to look closely for flaws, ut will be able to find some not seen by the general public. The paint, hrome, lass and finishes will all appear as excellent. No excessive smoke will be seen on startup, o unusual noises will emanate from the engine. The vehicle will drive as a new vehicle of its era would. The one word description for #2 vehicles is "excellent."

#3 Good$19,700 #3 vehicles could possess some, ut not all of the issues of a #4 vehicle, ut they will be balanced by other factors such as a fresh paint job or a new, orrect interior where applicable. #3 vehicles drive and run well, ut might have some incorrect parts. These vehicles are not used for daily transportation but are ready for a long tour without excuses, nd the casual passerby will not find any visual flaws. "Good" is the one word description of a #3 vehicle.

#4 Fair$12,600 #4 vehicles are daily drivers, ith flaws visible to the naked eye. The chrome might have pitting or scratches, he windshield might be chipped. Paintwork is imperfect, nd perhaps the body has a minor dent. Split seams or a cracked dash, here applicable, ight be present. No major parts are missing, ut the wheels could differ from the originals, r other non- stock additions might be present. A #4 vehicle can also be a deteriorated restoration. "Fair" is the one word that describes a #4 vehicle.

•