The Mercedes-Benz 300 SE entered production in saloon, coupé and cabriolet form and was one of four models to share the new ‘Fintail’ body style first seen at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1959.

It became the flagship model at the time of its introduction in 1961, superseding the 300 ‘Adenauer’ and would remain so until the arrival of the 600 ‘Grosser Mercedes’ in 1963.

Although similar in appearance to the contemporary 220, the 300 SE was mechanically more refined, featuring self-levelling air suspension, power assisted steering, servo assisted disc brakes on all four wheels and, from August 1963, dual-circuit braking.

From 1964 the 2,996cc, Bosch fuel-injected, six-cylinder all-alloy engine produced 170bhp (DIN), an output sufficient to propel the luxuriously equipped 300SE to around 200km/h, or 195km/h when equipped with the optional four-speed automatic transmission.

As is the case with all of Mercedes-Benz’s many flagship models, ownership of the 300 SE was confined to a wealthy ...