1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 S Universal

When Mercedes-Benz released its futuristic looking ‘Fintail’, they achieved record levels of sales worldwide.

Popular for its space age tailfins and contoured design and revered for its reliability and superb build quality the Type W111 230 S Fintail or “Finnie” represents one of the greatest sedans to come out of the purple patch of automotive design that was the 1960's.

By special-order only, a Belgium coach works company would convert Fintail saloons to estates at a hefty price for Mercedes-Benz customers. The car offered here is a rare and original right-hand drive 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 S Fintail Universal.

Believed to be one of just three cars ever built this car is presented in its original White over Tan trim optioned with a 4 Speed column shift manual transmission and air-conditioning.

Arriving in Australia through the Tourist Delivery scheme, the vehicle was purchased by Ms Julie Clare Wilhelmsen, Heiress of the Wilhelmsen Shipping Company. Ms Wilhelmsen owned at the time a 230 SL Pagoda and also a Holden station wagon but had always wished Mercedes-Benz would produce their own estate because then she had need for just one car.

An advertisement in Autocar Magazine for a Belgian based coach works company offering factory approved estate conversions to Fintails was found by Wilhelmsen. She immediately placed an order to have one commissioned and delivered to Smestad, Norway in June of 1966 where it was then, after a short period of time was transported on a Wilhelmsen Ship to rural Western Australia where she lived.

Ms Wilhemsen owned the car for almost 40 years until she passed away and gifted it to a close friend in the early 2000’s.

A country car all of its life, this Universal is in exceptionally original condition, a tru survivor and something we haven’t seen before.

Numbers matching, the interior is totally untouched and from the timber dash to the original Sekurit glass and dealer sticker in the rear window this collectable Universal is in outstanding condition. Even the original Becker Grand Prix radio is in its place.

To confirm its wonderful story, this car is accompanied by a raft of original material including its dealer supplied service and maintenance manuals issued by the selling dealer, Cederwall-Larsen & Patt based in Oslo as well as its original Norwegian registration certificate, brochures and tool kit.

This beautifully kept 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 S Fintail Universal has to be the ultimate estate to come out of a golden age of automotive design.

One of the most special Mercedes-Benz models we’ve had the opportunity to bring to market, this exceedingly rare right hand drive, Australian delivered Universal would form a cornerstone of any Classic collection.