1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3

Impressive enough for the King of Cool himself, Mr Steve McQueen owned a black Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL saloon. This was likely because the 6.3 could accelerate to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, cruise at over 200 km/h (124 mph) with five passengers in complete comfort, and still take corners with the precision of a Porsche 911.

Codenamed "The Intercontinental Express," the 300 SEL 6.3 began as a private project in 1966 by Mercedes-Benz engineer Erich Waxenberger. His principle was straightforward: take the powerful 6.3-litre M100 V8 engine from the Grosser and fit it into the engine bay of the top-end 6-cylinder 300 SEL W109 model.

The result was an astonishing level of performance for the era and for this style of vehicle. The company transformed the prototype into a production model, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1968. Road & Track even hailed it as “The greatest saloon in the world” in their 1968 issue.

Inside, you’ll find timeless elegance, with supremely comfortable seats featuring headrests and a beautiful, handcrafted Zebrano wood-trimmed dashboard. The dash houses a vintage Becker Mexico cassette stereo, classic VDO instruments, and an analogue clock. Ahead of its time, the 300 SEL 6.3 also featured hydraulically adjustable suspension, an electric sunroof and side windows, power steering, air-conditioning, and central locking.

Available here is an Australian-delivered (Country Code 901) 1972 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3 Saloon, ordered new and presented in its original Silbergrau Metallic (Colour Code 180) over Quartz Blue leather interior (Colour Code 245).

This car has only recently emerged from long-term family ownership before its refurbishment. It has been registered just once, under a company owned by the Searle family—a notable name in trucking and racing. Wes Searle purchased the car new, and it was later passed down to his son Ron. After Ron’s passing, the car remained stationary for many years.

Under new ownership, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive mechanical refurbishment by marque specialists in Sydney. This extensive project involved overhauling and rebuilding the engine, gearbox, and suspension, and was completed in 2023.

Included with the sale is a wealth of documentation, such as a set of service books and manuals, detailed receipts from the recent refurbishment, a certificate from Mercedes-Benz for reaching 200,000 km, original articles from the period of release, and service records dating back to the 1980s.

An icon of its time, this ultimate driver’s car is appointed with luxury features that make it the perfect weekend cruiser or even a daily driver. This turnkey example is ready to be thoroughly enjoyed by its new owner.

Don’t miss this opportunity—contact our team today.