1970 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series 300 SEL 6.3

This story of this Mercedes began in the showroom of a San Francisco California Mercedes Benz Dealership 51 years ago where this exquisite Dunklerot Red Exterior W/ Cognac Interior 1970 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3 was on display for sale. According to excerpts from Graham Nash's autobiographical book “Wild Tails A Rock and Roll Life” Rock and roll Hall Of Famer's Graham Nash and David Crosby of Crosby Stills and Nash entered that San Francisco showroom one afternoon and they were greeted by a salesman who exuded doubt that these these two Hippies were going to be buying these incredible cars . Both of the guys were looking at a 1970 300 SEL 6.3 Mercedes Benz.The salesman clearly missed the mark in his assessment of them , and in the book on page 187 Graham Nash states that at one point he looked at the salesmen and said “My friend will take the blue one, and wrap that baby up for me” That “baby” is now being presented to you today , and the rest his history!

This Mercedes Benz has journeyed through time, and it came into my life in 2015 . It did not look like the Benz that Graham Nash bought that day in that San Francisco showroom , but I was determined to make it showroom quality once again. The years gone by and age made it apparent this incredible machine was going to require a full restoration to bring it back to its former glory so I got busy and for the next 3 years I restored this Classic AACA National Senior Award winning beauty. Today she is ready to be driven , enjoyed, and to find a new home. I'm proud and humbled to say the 109 has been featured along with the story of my 50 years of experience as a Antique and Classic Car restoration expert, and you can find and read these articles in National Magazines including The Jan- Feb issue 2019 Star Magazine of the Mercedes Benz Club of America , The October 2019 issue of the AACA Hershey Museum Magazine, and the Summer 2019 Issue # 28 and Autumn 2018 Issue # 25 of Classic Mercedes Magazine published Internationally. The provenance is in the matching Vin numbers.

THE RESTORATION

Knowing as I did that a mechanically faultless engine is key to a successful 6.3 restoration, I proceeded to have the fuel tank refurbished, changed the engine oil, replaced filters, cleaned fuel lines, and reinstalled the fuel tank with a new fuel pump. Only then did I start the car for the first time: It sprang to life and ran well, with good compression in all cylinders. Then I pulled out the power train, suspension, and interior, and completely dissembled the car. Next, I mounted the stripped chassis on a rotisserie rig. I inspected every inch of the chassis and body lovingly removing all imperfections, even I minor blemishes left from the factory. Bodywork and painting would extend over the course of three years, broken up by work on the 6.3's mechanical and cosmetic components.

Having earlier confirmed that the big sedan's engine was mechanically sound, I disassembled the M100 V-8; all components were degreased, cleaned and serviced, and all gaskets and hoses replaced. I was pleased to find that after removing the valve covers, and oil pan, that the inside of the engine was as clean as a whistle with absolutely no sludge attesting to both low mileage and careful maintenance. A comprehensive engine rebuild would not be necessary. As of October of 2020 the automatic transmission was rebuilt and functions perfectly.

The complicated air suspension on a 6.3 is a critical part of the vehicle's overall performance and appeal. To bring it back to original specifications I replaced all three suspension valves, four rubber bellows and all worn suspension parts.

Usually I restore a car's interior wood myself , but in this case with several pieces broken or missing I decided to work with a specialist in California over a six-month period to reproduce the wood trim to my satisfaction. The interior leather was sourced from a specialty supplier in California to match the original door panels, which were in great shape. I decided to reupholster the seats, and cut and installed the carpeting to meet the standard the Benz deserved, and the pristine interior speaks for itself.

Today, the 300SEL 6.3 is exactly as it was when Nash purchased it in 1970, with one exception. I swapped in 15-inch ATS Bundt-style wheels for the original 14-inch stock parts, a substitution typical of the period.With the restoration completed I then debuted the 300 SEL 6.3 at the 2018 Antique Automobile Club of America's Annual Grand National Meet where it was awarded a prestigious AACA national first prize which is now proudly mounted on the car's dignified grille.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

I offer this fine example of the 109 Mercedes Benz to you for sale and once again it is time to send this labor of love and all its history to a new home in the hope it will be well cared for and preserved Please feel free to contact me for more information

Also published at eBay.com

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