1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Cabriolet

Description

First shown at Frankfurt in 1965, the new S-Class Mercedes-Benz range was outwardly distinguishable from preceding models by a sleeker bodyshell with lower roof and waistlines, and increased glass area. All models featured similar all-independent suspension, as well as four-wheel disc brakes and power-assisted steering. However, although the sedan used this “New Generation” bodyshell, the Coupé and Cabriolet kept the timelessly elegant coachwork design by Paul Bracq that had debuted back in 1960 on the 220SEb.   

The 250 SE employed a fuel-injected version of Mercedes-Benz’s new, overhead-camshaft, seven-bearing inline-six displacing 2,496cc and developing 150bhp at 5,600 rpm. There was a choice of a standard four-speed manual gearbox while most bound for the States were equipped with Mercedes’ four-speed automatic, and the rear suspension featured their hydro-pneumatic load-leveling spring. The 250 SE was good for 120 mph, with 60 mph reachable in 12 seconds, a substantial improvement on the superseded 220 SE’s figures.

This luxurious model was the last of the hand-built Mercedes-Benz automobiles. Only 13 cars per week were crafted, resulting in only 928 left-hand drive and 26 right-hand drive 250 SE Cabriolets produced. Quite simply, these cars were classics the day they rolled off the production line and have remained so ever since. 

Highlights 

• Exclusive coachbuilt 250 SE Cabriolet with just three owners from new 

• First owner is believed to have been composer/conductor Leonard Bernstein 

• Powered by a 2.5-liter “M129” inline-six rated at 150 horsepower 

• Four-speed automatic transmission 

• Finished in Grey Beige (DB716) paint over a black leather interior 

  • Factory options include: 

  • 236 – Electric window lifters 

  • 491 – U.S. version 

  • 508 – Outside rear-view mirror, left 

  • 515 – Becker radio Europa MW/USW – USA 

Features 

• Service records dating back to 1988 

• Rear suspension replaced (no longer hydraulic) 

• Fuel pump replaced 

• Hidden Becker cassette stereo 

Known Imperfections 

• Front bucket seats and rear bench seats are worn 

• Cold start injector not working as it takes about 10 seconds to start when cold; starts immediately when warm 

• Clock not working 

Included 

• Original owner’s manual 

• Factory Service Manual 

• Full size spare tire and wheel 

• Factory jack and lug wrench 

• Custom fitted car cover (not all-weather) 

• Fitted sheepskins for the front seats 

 Ownership History 

The consignor states, “I have owned this car since 1991, and it has been kept in an air conditioned, heated garage while in my possession. I am the third owner, the second owner said the first owner told him he had exceeded 100,000 miles. The second owner also told me that the first ‘ignored an oil light and ran out of oil due to a leak and had to put in a new short block.’” 

The consignor continues, “The first owner was Leonard Bernstein, and the car had New Jersey plates, MAESTRO1. He also installed the cassette player (which I have never used). The car did briefly appear in one of the PBS documentaries on his life.” It is well known that Leonard Bernstein, conductor of the New York Philharmonic and composer of “West Side Story” among other accomplishments, was an aficionado of fine automobiles, and his Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Cabriolet with vanity plates MAESTRO1 was sighted in the New York/New Jersey area. Mercedes-Benz even briefly featured footage of the late Bernstein conducting in a 2010 TV commercial. Hagerty Marketplace endeavored to locate documentation supporting that this Mercedes-Benz was indeed Bernstein’s, but his archives at The Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc. in New York City revealed nothing, though they did state, “In the 1980s, he had a taupe Mercedes convertible sedan (probably late-1960s model) with the MAESTRO1 license plates.”