1965 Mercedes 300SE Cabriolet

The Mercedes W112 of the 1960s was a large luxurious car powered by a 3 litre 6 cylinder engine. The top of the range was the Cabriolet which also featured air suspension, power steering and an automatic gearbox. This example had been stored in a barn for about 40 years. 'Tatty but complete' accurately described its condition when towed out of the barn.

The engine was seized, the suspension fully deflated and the brakes partially seized.

The interior was well used but complete. Amazingly, the seats were in very good order without rips or significant wear. Mercedes leather is tough stuff!

During the strip down, the hood frame was found to have rot even in its wooden cross bar.

The interior was fully stripped.

The body was mounted on a carousel which enabled the underside to be properly cleaned down.

After extensive panel renewal, the bodyshell was mounted on a workshop trolley prior to the spraying work.

The 6 cylinder engine was extensively corroded and seized inside and required a very full rebuild with casting repairs.

The completed engine was now ready to be reinstalled. The automatic gearbox is a special Mercedes electro-mechanical unit that also required a full rebuild.

The colour was an attractive gold colour called Mercedes Tunis Beige DB462.

After the spraying work was finished, the bodyshell was remounted on the carousel to allow the extensive pipework for the air suspension, fuel and brakes to be installed underneath.

The rebuilt engine bay was the subject of extensive restoration work. The grey square finned object just behind the radiator is the air compressor unit to pump up the suspension.

The interior had a new wiring loom and many other new parts. Mercedes are excellent at looking after their older models with a good supply of needed parts.

The interior was rebuilt with reveneered wood work and a new trim throughout.

The end result was very impressive.

It's probably better than new now.

After such a large and lengthy restoration process, the car was decorated with a few balloons on the day the owner collected it. We couldn't resist it!