Mercedes-Benz

In 1961 the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE (W112) was introduced, based on the W111 Heckflosse sedan. These high-end cars were fitted with a 2,996 cc fuel-injected six-cylinder engine, at the time of the model's introduction the company's largest. They were finished with a higher level of wood and leather trim than the W111 and had standard luxury features such as power steering, automatic transmission and pneumatic self-levelling suspension. The 300 SE coupé and cabriolet were introduced in February 1962 and shared their more restrained and elegant Paul Bracq designed bodywork with the W111 220 SE coupé and cabriolet. The 300 SE was always a very exclusive automobile and the sedan turned out to be very short-lived. With the arrival of the imposing Mercedes-Benz 600 in late 1963, demand for the W112 sedan plummeted. The model was dropped in 1965, with a total of 6,748 units built over its five-year run. Production of the coupé and cabriolet continued for another two years.