Mercedes-Benz W 112
The Mercedes -Benz W 112 is the most expensive in terms of equipment and technology model of the so-called tail fin model series from Mercedes -Benz.
The official name of the car is Mercedes -Benz 300 SE, it is available in two variants sedan as well as coupe and convertible.
All 112er models are based on virtually identical bodies of their respective counterparts of the W 111 series, outwardly differing only by a more extensive chrome ornament ( wide trim in the center bead from the headlight to tail light, Radlaufchromleisten and a wide chrome trim that covers the entire outer sill ), also in the limousine by a significantly higher quality interior ( Echtholzrahmungen, noble materials in special designs ).
Limousine
General
The 300 SE (W 112 014 ) was from February 1961 to July 1965 exactly 5202 times. Parallel appeared somewhat later, the long 300 SE (W 112 015 ) with a 10 cm longer wheelbase, and of this variant were from March 1963 ( = start of series production; 1 Vorserienwagen, Daimler -Benz in December 1962 ago) until July 1965 in only 1546 copies made. Compared with the numbers of the other tail fins models of the W 110 series (total 628 282 Units) and W 111 (total 338 003 Units) the 112er tail fins were so early as the time of their creation rather rare.
The sedan with "short " wheelbase has distinctive, additional 300 -SE - lettering on the C -pillar trim panels In the long version, however, are at this point only Discreet and continuous aperture -. Lack the typical chrome sickle and without lettering - and let it these two 300 -SE sedans tell them apart at first.
A special contrast to all other previously or subsequently built Mercedes- Benz models can be seen on the trunk lid: The 300 -SE lettering was provided with a chrome surround ( see picture) and thus forms the " cherry on top " of the already then as now not undisputed amount of ornamentation in the W 112 This special, framed emblem adorns all W-112 sedans from 1961 to 1965, but soon after that it was no longer available as a spare part and was in case of need by the frameless from the beginning 300 -SE lettering of the Coupes and convertibles replaced.
The 300 SE was in the time between the setting of the "Adenauer " 300ERs (W 189) beginning in 1962 and the appearance of the Mercedes 600 ( W 100 ) in late 1963, the noblest ( and as long 300 SE the largest ) sedan, the Mercedes -Benz had to offer his clientele.
Long version
The long version was doing in manual labor: A 300 -SE - body was removed from the belt, cut transversely at the level of the Fund and extended by inserting structured sheet metal strips by 10 cm. The rear door structures were stretched in this way. Only the roof skin and the rear door skins were each pressed as non- specific sheet metal parts in one piece. This process was due to the small numbers economical than the separate presses of long - body parts ( Werkzeugkosten! ) and has been applied, for example, BMW E3 sedans of the 1970s.
It emerged during the long 300 SE but no "L" in the model designation on, neither on the trunk lid still in the brochures. The term " 300 SEL" was only introduced during the follow-up model of the W 109. Therefore, it is wrong to call a long tail fin 300 SE as the " SEL".
With the release of the long version in the spring of 1963, the 112er sedans finally got even again more Chromzierrat: The window frame of the doors were structurally modified and with wide chrome frame aperture completely covered - as a further measure to create a visual difference to significantly lower 111er sedan, which continues to the thin chrome rods built on the windows.
Technology, drive
All W 112 are equipped with special technical features which have been described at the time as "state of the possible " and some still today constitute constructive peculiarities. They represent the actual, prestigious backed contrast to the W 111 models:
- Six-cylinder engine with manifold injection and mechanical first 118 kW (160 hp), from February 1964, 125 kW ( 170 hp )
- Newly developed Daimler-Benz four-speed automatic
- Newly developed air suspension for constant vehicle level in all situations
- Disc brakes front and rear
- Power Steering
- Differential lock
- Brake holding down on the rear axle for constant camber
The W 112 is driven by Mercedes -Benz M 189, a very lavishly produced six-cylinder engine with three liters. The engine weighs due to its lightweight metal alloy ( head and block ) approximately 40 kg less than the precursor of gray cast iron, the (, "Adenauer sedan " W 189) came in the 300 SL ( " Gullwing" and Roadster ) and in the 300's. improved drivability (reduced understeer) was achieved by this reduction of the front axle load.
In contemporary test reports (eg auto motor und sport, Issue 14, 1962) has been criticized that the switching stages of the automatic are arranged unfavorable in relation to the engine characteristics, but there is no alternative in the form of an optional manual transmission. Daimler -Benz responded to the criticism and offered from the spring of 1963 with a price reduction of 1400 DM a four-speed manual transmission on. A ZF five-speed manual transmission was homologated for racing purposes, but did not arrive in the official sale. Nevertheless, the 300 SE was quite efficient with the standard drive versions: the top speed is depending on your axle and transmission combination at up to 200 km / h - at that time a respectable sports car value.
Prices
The 1963 base price for the 300 SE was 24,500 DM, the 300 SE long he was DM 27,800, depending on the desired special equipment could also be the final price far higher than DM 35,000. For comparison, a VW Beetle "Export" cost about 5400 DM, and an employee earned about 800 DM per month. It is worth noting at this point also that the cheapest W was to have 111 ( 220b ) in 1963 from 12,160 DM, and also the quite tasteful 220 SEb "only" exactly 15,450 DM (1962 ) cost. And with almost the same external appearance and identical space ( the long version left aside each ). The latter is true even for the several levels lower settled types of the W 110 series, which were offered for DM 10,000.
Special Features
A specific special equipment for the 300 SE sedan was, for example, a separate rear compartment heating. A central locking, noble velor or Feincordpolsterung and a partition with electrically operated disc, however, were only available for the long version. There were many other, usual extras such as mechanical steel sunroof, Becker radio, air conditioning, luggage set, tinted glass, straps, neck braces ( " pouffes " ) etc. to order. The then-new metallic finishes were, as far as the tail fin sedans, also solely reserved to the two 300 versions. There was an option for both types, two-tone paint (ie roof and hubcaps in a different color than the body ), but in the long version of a two-tone paint was according to the price list footnote "not recommended". This had but less than rather to do with the actual effect with the manufacturer intended appearance of long limousines to the marketing department was concerned: the other tail fins types could be ordered with any two-color combination, but the long version should be at least the "Adenauer " - replace 300d and hence color as possible covered / reputable occur.
Motorsport
The car was at normal wheelbase also very successfully used in the European Touring Car Championship and in international rally competition rides, there some with direct injection as the 300 SL Gullwing and well over 150 kW. In the Mercedes- Benz Museum, a 300 SE is exhibited in the faithful 60s factory race trim, see picture above. It does not, however, these are one of the vehicles used original, but a replica (see Mercedes -Benz Classic, 3/2009, pages 54-60, " number 617 lives " ), which was left technically rather seriennah, and otherwise with some deviations from the original racing comes along - as a particularly striking feature in this case the presence of a steel sliding roof and neuzeitlicherer rims mentioned.
Coupe and Cabriolet
They are technically the sedans, debuted in February 1962, only one year after the sedan ( and the 111er coupes and convertibles ), and remained there until December 1967 in the program, so two years longer than their four-door sister models (but four years shorter than the 111er coupes and convertibles ). You have as opposed to the saloons no fashionable tail fins, a lower roof line, which makes them appear more elegant and timeless, giving them much earlier gave a classic status. This timelessness also made it possible that they could be built virtually unchanged parallel to the successors of the 112er sedans, the S- Class of the W 108 / W 109 series. Nevertheless, there emerged a total of only 2419 coupe (W 112 021 ) and 708 Cabriolet (W 112 023 ).
The body shapes of both models were in the W 111 series continued to be produced until 1971, a successor model on the basis of standing before the premiere of the S -Class sedan W 116 was not launched. Instead, Daimler -Benz developed a coupe based on the similarly featured at this time new SL Roadsters ( R 107 ), whose proportions ( much longer wheelbase ) to date are controversial. It was presented as a sports coupe from the SLC of the C 107 series. A real S-Class coupe was only rebuilt with the successor of C 107, namely, the SEC introduced in 1981 ( C 126 ). An S -Class Cabriolet however, there were no more today. Although the successful E-Class Cabriolet 124 series ( A 124 ) was also the first time provide four full-size seats and is very quickly matured into a collector's item, but of elegance and prestige of the tail fin coupes and convertibles could this ( middle class ) unable to build model.
Current situation
For a long time due to the complex technology somewhat neglected treatment and trading, are the W 112 today now that very reason and because of their rarity coveted classic cars.
Reception
On the cover of the album highway the electropop band Kraftwerk a Mercedes -Benz W 112 is depicted sedan.