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Refurbished 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 Offered for Sale in California
A 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, refurbished in 2012 and extensively serviced since 2022, is now available on dealer consignment in California. The W109 sedan features its original 6.3-liter V8, self-leveling air suspension, and a Cognac interior, with 55,000 miles on the odometer.
By George Kensington · 3 min read
A 1971 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3, the flagship performance sedan of its era, has come onto the market through a California dealer. The car, finished in Moss Green Metallic over a Cognac interior, was refurbished in 2012 and has received further mechanical attention since its current owner acquired it in 2022. That work included resealing the gearbox and cylinder heads, rebuilding the brake booster, and fitting an R134a air-conditioning kit alongside a stainless-steel exhaust system.
Power comes from the 6.3-liter M100 V8, an engine rated at 300 horsepower and 435 lb-ft of torque when new, paired with Bosch mechanical fuel injection and a four-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain has been carefully maintained: the radiator was re-cored, the exhaust manifold resurfaced, and a broken manifold stud repaired after 2022. The transmission was resealed, and the driveshaft flex joint and differential-support bearing were replaced at the same time.
The W109 body style is distinguished by its self-leveling air suspension, which uses front and rear air-spring bellows with torsion-bar stabilizers, and by four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes. Under current ownership, the brake booster was rebuilt and the master cylinder, hoses, and front rotors were replaced, along with all four shock absorbers. The car rides on silver-finished 15-inch Bundt alloy wheels shod with Michelin XWX tires produced in 2022.
Exterior details include stacked quad headlights, a Standing Star front ornament, wrap-around bumpers, a sunroof, front vent windows, and butterfly-style windshield wipers. The car was repainted under prior ownership, and a replacement windshield and door channels were fitted after 2021. The cabin features Cognac upholstery on front bucket seats and the rear bench, with wood trim on the dashboard and door panels. Equipment includes air conditioning, a heater and defroster, power windows, central locking, a Becker Europa push-button radio, and a heated rear window.
The two-spoke steering wheel frames VDO instrumentation with a 160-mph speedometer, a central 6k-rpm tachometer, and a combination gauge for coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 55,000 miles. Recent interior work includes replacing the headliner and left-front window regulator and rebuilding the sunroof mechanism. Dashboard cracks are visible in the gallery photos.
The chassis plate confirms the car's specifications: model 109.018, left-hand drive with automatic transmission, Moss Green paint, heated rear window, US version, left outside mirror, Becker Europa radio, automatic antenna, and factory air conditioning. The car was not optioned with Town and Country horns. The sale includes the factory 14-inch steel wheels with painted hubcaps and tires, a data card, owner's manuals, parts and service records, and a clean California title.
