The 1967 Mercedes-Benz 300SE Cabriolet, or W112, is a highly desirable and exclusive classic car. It was the top-of-the-line model for Mercedes in the mid-1960s, a flagship that set a high standard for luxury and engineering.

The W112 Chassis and Its Significance

The W112 was a series of luxury automobiles produced by Mercedes-Benz from 1961 to 1967. While it shared a similar body shell with the less expensive W111 "fintail" cars, the W112 was a completely different breed. It was built with a higher level of craftsmanship and was a showcase of Mercedes-Benz's most advanced technology at the time.

Key features that distinguished the W112 included:

Engine: The W112 was powered by a 3.0-liter, mechanically fuel-injected M189 straight-six engine. This powerful engine was exclusive to the W112 and was a significant performance upgrade over the engines in the W111.

Air Suspension: All W112 models came standard with a sophisticated self-leveling pneumatic (air) suspension system, providing a superior ride quality.

Luxurious Appointments: The W112 was lavished with chrome trim, extensive wood accents in the interior, and standard features like power steering and automatic transmission.

1967 W112 300SE Cabriolet

The 1967 model year marked the final year of production for the W112 series. The cabriolet is particularly rare and sought-after. Only 708 cabriolets were produced over the entire production run from 1962 to 1967. The limited production numbers and high-end features make it a true collector's item.

The 1967 300SE Cabriolet came with an all-aluminum engine block, which was a later addition to the W112 line.

W112 300SE vs. 300SE SEL

You mentioned both "300SE" and "300SE SEL." This is a key distinction, but it's important to clarify the model lineage.

300SE (W112): The standard model, available as a sedan, coupe, and cabriolet.

300SE SEL: This designation, where "L" stands for "Lang" (long), refers to a long-wheelbase version of the W112 sedan that was introduced in 1963. It was created to provide more legroom and a more limousine-like feel.

It's important to note that the W112 sedan line was discontinued in 1965 with the introduction of the new W108/W109 series. However, the W112 coupes and cabriolets continued in production until 1967, which is why a 1967 300SE Cabriolet exists, but not a 1967 W112 300SEL. The "SEL" designation was later used on the next-generation sedans, such as the W109 300SEL.