1970 Mercedes-benz 300sel Base 6.3l on 2040-cars

Year: 1970
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: S-Class
Trim: 300SEL 6.3
Options: Burled Walnut Wood Dash and Trim, Leather Seats
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows
Drive Type: Rear-Wheel Drive
Mileage: 91,380
Exterior Color: Black
Disability Equipped: No
Interior Color: Tan
Number of Doors: 4
Number of Cylinders: 8
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty

Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 is truly an intriguing automobile. Rare from birth, being one of only 642 hand-built, US spec “6.3” models produced in its respective year, this classic example of Mercedes-Benz engineering stands apart from its peers due to its impeccable original condition, full provenance and storied past.

If you are viewing this listing, you already know that this was the fastest production sedan in the world in between 1968 and 1973. “The Banker’s Hot Rod,” as it was affectionately regarded by owners and enthusiasts, was quite ahead of its time. Four wheel, driver-adjustable air suspension, mechanical fuel injection, four wheel, ventilated disc brakes, energy absorbing steering column, and impact absorbing crumple zones were just a few of this vehicle’s notable features.

This unique beauty has lived a pampered existence in three of the finest Nashville, TN garages its entire life SPANNING ONLY 91,000 ORIGINAL MILES!!! It clearly shows. Full provenance is known, and you will be hard pressed to find a lower mileage “6.3” with a more complete ownership record.

In 1970, Dr. Lowry Dale Kirby of Nashville, TN embarked on a trip to Germany to take “European Delivery” of his beloved 6.3 Mercedes at the factory in Stuttgart. As you may know, European delivery vehicles were considered to have been held to an even higher standard during production to ensure customer satisfaction. I believe this to be true given its exemplary record of dependable service over the years. Dr. Kirby had been unable to acquire a black and tan 6.3 with burl walnut interior without a sunroof (he was reportedly paranoid of being ejected thru the sunroof in the event of a rollover). After anxiously waiting 6 months for his special ordered vehicle to be ready, Dr. Kirby jumped on a plane and set out for Germany to take possession of his 6.3. Dr. Kirby was considered a Renaissance Man and perfection fanatic. He was a pediatrician, a gourmet chef trained in France, and also a storied collector of silver. In fact, Dr. Kirby is best remembered as having the largest and finest private collection of English Sheffield silver in the entire world. Upon his death, he bequeathed his entire collection – over a thousand pieces - to the Dewitt Wallace Gallery in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. (See link below)

http://antiquesandthearts.com/archive/quest.htm

Shortly prior to Dr. Kirby’s passing, my 6.3 was purchased by one of his close friends, Dr. Benjamin Hubbard Caldwell, Jr. An avid car collector, and dedicated appreciator of the finer things, Dr. Caldwell had admired the vehicle for years. Dr. Caldwell is a Nashville Obstetrician and is best known as an advanced collector of both American antiquities and contemporary art. He is a famed author and still nationally recognized lecturer and consultant on the subject of collectable silver. (See two links below)

http://uncpress.unc.edu/browse/book_detail?title_id=480

http://belmontmansion.com/2012/01/23/3rd-annual-tennessee-antiques-and-decorative-arts-symposium-characters-and-chronicles/

Dr. Caldwell grew impatient over time, however. Because the 6.3 was equipped with 4-wheel air suspension, he became perturbed by the time he had to wait for the suspension to rise while making child delivery calls to the hospital in the middle of the night.

It was for that reason that Dr. Caldwell ended up selling the 6.3 to his friend, and my beloved wife, Ann Forsyth. Ann was considered by many in the United States to be one of the foremost experts on English and American antiquities – particularly English silver. She simply loved this car. Every time she got behind the wheel, the 6.3 would always put a smile on her face. I have always held those memories dear.

Upon my wife's passing, I became the proud owner of this exquisite “beast” as I have always called it. I served as the Chief Financial Officer of Vanderbilt University Medical Center for over 23 years. Despite constant and very persistent pursuit by friends and colleagues over the years, I simply would not consider parting with Ann’s car. To honor my wife’s memory, I have spent countless hours and an inordinate amount of money to keep this vehicle in tip-top shape. Given my advancing age though, I have decided that it’s time to move on and allow someone else to enjoy it as much as Ann did.

http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/reporter/index.html?ID=870

Upon detailed inspection you will find this so-called “Banker’s Hot Rod” in the most desirable, and stately regarded, black with tan interior color combination. It has been maintained since day 1 by Nashville’s finest Mercedes specialists. And in the past month, the vehicle was fully tuned, gone over with a fine-tooth comb, and deemed by the Mercedes dealership’s service technician of over 30 years, Morey, “too good to fiddle with.” The motor is tuned to perfection. The mechanical fuel injection is operating flawlessly. The transmission shifts beautifully. The brand new Goodyear tires show zero wear. The air suspension is in tip-top form, rides brilliantly, raises and lowers quickly and properly via its under-dash mounted lever, and will hold air for over a month without squatting.

The vehicle has recently received a new factory ignition tumbler special ordered from Germany to match the original key. The vehicle has undergone a full service of its air suspension system including new shocks, new bellows, and countless other normal wear-and-tear components. The ignition system has been completely tuned including new plugs, points, rotor, cap, and wiring harness. There are also brand new drive belts, brand new shift bushings, a brand new rubber air intake apparatus, and a brand new Mercedes-Benz battery.

The paint is original, and while not without imperfections, shines brilliantly due to its consistent garaged state. Living in the mild, Nashville, TN climate, the vehicle is rust free. The rubber components are in wonderful shape. Front and rear windshield seals were replaced in the past 2 years. Door and trunk seals are tight and in good shape. The tan leather interior is beautiful as well (having been completely replaced in 1992 by my wife as a Christmas present to herself), and the original burled walnut dashboard is complemented by the just refurbished wooden dash bow. Drew Tibcken of Heritage Wood Works in North Carolina has spent the past 6 months carefully, and delicately, restoring the 14 wooden door pieces and dashboard bow beyond their original factory state. I have elected to leave the 4 door-card pieces off, however, because I believe they overcomplicate an otherwise clean and elegant appearance. The 4 refurbished pieces will certainly accompany the vehicle of course though (see picture). The trunk is factory complete with its period correct spare tire, red-handled Bilstein jack, proper tire strap, and bracket mounted lug wrench.

The air conditioning operates properly and blows cold. The heating system is fully functioning, blows toasty warm, and its 4 fan speed/air direction louvers are in exemplary working condition. All gauges are fully operable (including speedometer, odometer, RPMs, fuel level, temp, and oil pressure) and the rheostat dimmer switch is functioning correctly to light the gauges, clock, radio, ashtray, heating louvers, and gear selector at night. The original Becker Europa radio operates like new, the speakers are crystal clear, and the dash mounted sound balance knob works correctly. The front and rear multi-position overhead lights come to life individually as front or rear doors are opened as well.

Please feel free to call or e-mail with any questions you may have. Thank you very much for your interest.