The Mercedes-Benz 220SE was attractive in the 1960s, but it lacked speed. This example resolves the matter effectively with the installation of the 6.3-liter V-8. It is the perfect Mercedes Grand Tourer from the 1960s, which was never produced, but it has been meticulously restored. When the Mercedes-Benz W111 debuted in the early 1960s, it represented the pinnacle of style. It’s a sophisticated GT with a silky-smooth inline-six engine designed to cruise the streets in style, comfort, and luxury. The leaders of AMG, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, had not yet considered putting a massive V-8 engine under the W111 to create an over-Merc. But this is what might happen. This stunning and powerful 1964 Mercedes-Benz 220SE is for sale on Bring a Trailer. It is owned by the same firm as Invoice Pricing, Hearst Autos. This is the type of vehicle that AMG could have produced if it had started operations a few years earlier. It features a massive 6.3-liter V-8 engine. On the outside, the pure mid-1960s Benz restraint is obvious, and there are no hints of violence hidden behind the sheet metal. Under the hood sits an M100 V-8 engine, the same as in the 600 Grosser, Mercedes’ most expensive vehicle. This will serve as the foundation for the next generation of AMG 6.3 coupes. Also, Mercedes could have produced something similar back then, even if it was not a stock model. In 1967, Mercedes produced a one-of-a-kind 280SL called the “Pagoda” powered by an M100 engine. That same year, Aufrecht and Melcher went their separate ways to create race engines. The V-8, on the other hand, was too heavy and powerful for the smaller SL. However, the massive V-8 engine in the larger 220SE coupe has been designed to be the best option from the start. The refurbishment, completed in the late 1990s, extensively used Mercedes parts, giving the impression that everything was manufactured by the manufacturer. The front suspension was strengthened to handle the added weight, and a four-speed automatic transmission was paired with the engine. This proto-AMG was originally auctioned off on Bring a Trailer in 2019 for $63,500, which is a reasonable amount given the work that was done on it. Since the sale, the wood trim has been polished, the rugs and floor mats have been replaced, and the interior has been reupholstered in burgundy leather to match the two-tone exterior. The exterior is completed by 14-inch metal wheels, with a modest 6.3 emblem serving as the finishing touch. This car has a powerful eight-cylinder engine that generates a lot of torque and is a rare version of one of Mercedes’ most stunning designs. Even though it is not an official AMG model, this W111 roadster will stand out at any Mercedes-Benz event. While Mercedes-Benz didn’t produce these models from the factory, it’s impressive that someone has done such an excellent job bringing this vision to life. On September 18, the auction ends.
