My 250SE was built 50 years ago today

My 250SE Cabriolet was produced 50 years ago today, or at least I presume it was, since it has this date noted on the data card, and the first service was December 1965.     The Original owner was the Australian Diplomat Brian C Hill, who collected the car from the factory and apparently took it with him to various diplomatic postings around the world.   It stayed in his family until the 21st century, and outside traveling with Mr Hill, it has always resided in the northern part of Sydney.

The car is an early production example, as the 250SE was only introduced in September of 1965 and given there were only 26 examples made in right hand drive, this car was likely the first right hand drive example.    While I do not know for sure, it is likely Mr Hill waited until the new model had been released before purchasing his new car.    Apparently he has a two seater convertible before the 250SE, I’m guessing a 230SL or perhaps a 190SL.

Over the 50 years since the car was produced, it has covered around 450,000, had a full engine rebuild, respray, new interior and all the usual maintenance you would expect.   I’ve recently put it back to original when it comes to the hubcaps and the headlights, so it looks like a 250SE again.     It has won the Mercedes Benz Club show and shine in 2014 and was a finalist in the 2015 Concours.

After about a 45 year hiatus, Mercedes have finally replaced the W111 convertible models in their line up with their new S Class convertible.   The new car is undoubtedly more powerful, but I’m not sure it has the same sense of occasion as the W111 does.  I wonder if the new car will still be in regular use in 2065?   Mercedes are certainly leveraging the old car in their publicity shots for the new one.

After 50 years on full registration, the car will soon move to the new club registration scheme being offered in NSW.

250SE in front of old Parliament house.