Models |
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Engine |
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Displacement (bore * stroke) |
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Compression ratio | 9,5 : 1 |
Engine control |
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Mixture formation |
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Torque |
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Performance |
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Transmission |
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Drive train | Front engine, rear drive |
Wheelbase | 2750 mm |
Front suspension | Double wishbone |
Rear suspension | Joint swing axle, hydraulic level regulation |
Brakes f/r | Disks/disks, two circuit, servo |
Steering | Recirculating ball, servo |
Tyres |
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Design | Paul Bracq |
Length | 4.880 mm |
Width | 1.845 mm |
Height |
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Luggage compartment | 530/450* litres |
Tank capacity | 82 litres |
Kerb weight |
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Manufactured |
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Top speed |
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Purchase price |
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*Cabrio
Now I do not know if you feel the same way, but the time of classic Mercedes-beauties ends for me with this car, perhaps excepted the /8 but in no case its coupé. So many collectors seem to think, because the prices are currently climbing to well over 100,000 euros. Perhaps it is also the fact that only slightly more than 1,200 vehicles of the highly coveted variant with V8 engine were produced.
It was called 'flat bonnet', incidentally, the only significant exterior change when restarting after eight years of production. Despite the many chrome, the 300 SE was available with yet more of it in the meantime. Now you have to decide just only between the original headlights and those which were recreated the headlights for export. The US version incidentally had indicators as large as small fog lamps, mounted at the same place.
Technically, slowly it became tight for the beauty of this car. The performance was increased by 88 kW (120 HP) up to 147 kW (200 HP), still based on the old rear axle. At the same time one has launched a new rear axle with the /8. The high steering wheel position and the still existing grease nipples with inspection every 5.000 km also remind the age of the car. Crazy enough, the air suspension was abolished also with the disappearance of the 300 SE. To-day, one could refine the premium product therewith.
Oh yes, rubber on the bumpers existed already and in principle even rollable safety belts were possible, but not mounted in any convertible. With the 3.5-liter V8, one was equipped more than good, even by today's standards. Only for coupes one could choose between automatic or four or five gears for better acceleration. And there were also tyres of the format 205/70.
For the V8 convertible with air conditioning, you could buy three simple /8. This limited the number of potential buyers significantly even at the time. But that was true for not so very many Americans, to those the car was offered in principle almost only completely. But for them it had been actually developed. For a short time they were also able to take advantage of the engine performance up to the general speed limit from 1974, the, however, already slightly reduced by special emission regulations.
Amazingly enough, the large Mercedes convertible/coupé had been 'born' into a gap. No wonder with the price and the lack of wealth in Europe. Without the US it would never have been built so exclusive. There it was successfully, although it has of course also given more favorable American convertibles/coupés. In Europe, there was no comparable competition, neither of Jaguar, from Italy or even France. Keep in mind that such a car is also an investment to which you look a bit like a very slowly evolving share. In any case the successor is maybe not quite well for this purpose, however, is a third cheaper. 07/15
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