Mercedes-Benz 1960's Models

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

Mercedes-Benz 220Sb

I really like 1960's cars ..and the Mercedes Heckflosse models are no exception.

1959 Mercedes-Benz W111
The Heckflosse (fintail) design was taken from the [particularly American] trend at the time for tail fins ..although the Mercedes tail fins were much more modest than those of it's rival 1959 Cadillac.

W111
The W111 was débuted in 1959 and was available as 220, 220S and 220SE. The coupé model was débuted in 1961. The 220 was the equivalent of a modern-day E class, while the 220S and 220SE were the equal of todays S class. All had manual transmission until 1961 when a four-speed automatic was also available

To distinguish them from their 1950's predecessors, the Heckflosse models were designated with a small b for the 220 models (220b/220Sb/220SEb) and a small c for the 190 models (190c ..see below). However, these designations do not appear on the vehicle's badge. The reason for these designations is simply because the Heckflosse models shared the same model names as the previous generation cars ..the b and c is to distinguish them from those models.

This 220S has the US specification headlights.

The basic 220 was visually a little bit different from the 220S/220SE ..having different rear lights with a simpler design.

220S/220SE rear lights.

1961 W110
The cheaper 190/190D (W110) Heckflosse models were introduced in 1961. These would be similar to the C class of today.

The rear of the 190/190D was very similar to that of the 220.

W112
In 1961 the 300S (W112) was launched ..these were prestigious cars and were distinguished from a normal 220S/SE by having a lot more chrome.

The new coupé and convertible were also launched in 1961 -- this is one of my favourite Mercedes-Benzes. Notice, by 1963 those tail fins were out of fashion, so the coupé and convertible didn't really have proper ones -- but they are still referred to as a Heckflosse model.

1963 A LWB version was unveiled, the 300SEL -- this was a highly prestigious and expensive car and could be equipped with a glass divider to separate rear passengers from the driver. However, the 300SEL was overshadowed by the début of the W100 limousine.

MORE INFO HERE

PanterroR · Jun 30, 2006

Roberto said:
Heckflosse Fintail

Some pics should show up, right? I don't see any... :t-hands:

dOmInIX · Jun 30, 2006

Didn't find much! But to to be honest, I didn't even search much!

Roberto, I'd never expect to see a thread like this by you! You usually post intelligent and cool stuff!

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

TycoonGTR said:
Some pics should show up, right? I don't see any...

LOL ...yes ..sorry about that -- I clicked the "submit reply" button before I even started :bonk:

Merc1 · Jun 30, 2006

Amazingly that seat design/pattern for that seats in that convertible were used right up until the mid-ninties when the last of the W124 E's were built. I mean look at that pattern and detailing its the same 20 plus years later!!!!!!

M

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

OH, hi Merc1 ..you don't usually lurk around these rusty older cars

You are right about those seats, there were some small changes made over the years ..but the general impression is very consistent over the decades.

Merc1 · Jun 30, 2006

Roberto said:
OH, hi Merc1 ..you don't usually lurk around these rusty older cars

You are right about those seats, there were some small changes made over the years ..but the general impression is very consistent over the decades.

Well I always read here, but rarely post since I'm out of my league when it comes naming and identifying a lot of the pre-1980's Mercedes-Benzes. I come here to learn from you and other vintage MB experts.

M

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

I'm no expert Marcus ...I'm learning as I go ...but I have got quite an interest in these older cars, particularly the W100 ..which I love.

Merc1 · Jun 30, 2006

Roberto said:
I'm no expert Marcus ...I'm learning as I go ...but I have got quite an interest in these older cars, particularly the W100 ..which I love.

Yeah I see, your name appears as the originator of some of the threads in this section. I too have a certain fondness of older Mercedes too.

M

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

I must say the 4 door Heckflosse model is not the most beautiful car ever created ..I actually used to think they were horrible -- but over time I have started to appreciate their peculiar looks.

PHYBENZ · Jun 30, 2006

The W111 is one of my all-time favorite MB models, partially because my family owns one! We have a 1963 220Sb, white with the inline 6, automatic. The car runs great up to this day but needs some body work! Great car though.... I used it all through highschool and college when I was younger.

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

Ha, that's great PHYBENZ ...they are becoming quite a rarity ..look after her :usa7uh:

SDNR · Jun 30, 2006

dOmInIX said:
Roberto, I'd never expect to see a thread like this by you! You usually post intelligent and cool stuff!

LOL .....I am not sure if that is a compliment or not dOm

Imhotep Evil · Jun 30, 2006

The US version looks better IMO.

This just so freaking stuning.
:bowdown:

dOmInIX · Jun 30, 2006

Sorry man! I saw 2 words in the thread and thought: ***??
But anyways you can consider the post above as a compliment!

donau · Jun 30, 2006

Lovely cars. They were popular taxis (in Europe at least) as well. While that may sound demeaning, I for one don't think that's negative at all. In fact that's a good way of getting a lot of exposure and advertizement for the comfortable smooth ride, and make people start wanting them for themselves as well.

dbtk · Jul 10, 2006

I have a brochure about MB design written by Bruno Sacco published in 1988. He commented on the importance not to design for the "spirit of the age". In other words, MB added tail fins to their cars pressured by the prevailing design sensibilities of American luxury cars of the day. By the time MB had released their version it was too late--the tastes had moved away from the tail fins. He reminds us that the MBs should be designed to look relevant for at least 20-25 years after their initial conception. And it is because of this design misstep that the 1961 220SE coupe emerged as one of the most well-proportioned and elegant designs. Here is what Sacco says about the 1959 tail fins:

"When I came to Daimler-Benz at the beginning of 1958, I noticed that everyone responsible was unhappy about the fins, which could no longer be kept at bay. But preparations for production were in full swing, and no one wanted to risk a delay in the launch of the vehicle, planned for the late summer of 1959. The situation finally came to be accepted; someone even said the fins had a function when in reverse gear. The expression 'direction fenders' was coined on the fins, which could no longer be eradicated.

We learned from this experience: the coupe version of this series, which appeared two years later, shows what this design concept actually involved. The treatment of the rear fender, the C-pillar and the rear windscreen were sufficient to elevate this design to immortality."

SDNR · Jul 10, 2006

That is interesting dbtk, Sacco has commented a lot on past work ..he also thinks the 600 had too much chrome on it.

The tailfins were out-of-date by the time they went into production, as you said.

By 1961, Lincoln was leading the way in automotive design with the slab-sided Continental.

1963 Lincoln Continental limousine.

Rolls-Royce also had it's special Mulliner versions of the Silver Cloud coupé designed by the Norwegian, Vilhelm Koren ...it was a lot more modern than the standard version.

Standard version Silver Cloud ...looking quite old-fashioned by comparison.

The 600 also was right up-to-date with it's styling.

dbtk · Jul 10, 2006

Roberto,

You are absolutely correct. Sacco thought the 600 to be a bit garish due in part to its overuse of chrome to mask its larger than life mass. Interesting how design evolves. He was most proud of the W124 coupe and redo (late 1985) W126 s-classes. I think the slab sided Continenals are quite handsome and many cars today take their cues from them. The 'chinese eyed' RR/Bentleys, however, lack the grace of the Phantom Vs and S2s.

SDNR · Jul 11, 2006

dbtk said:
Roberto,
I think the slab sided Continenals are quite handsome and many cars today take their cues from them. .

I like them too ...other than early-model Phantom VI's, they must have been the last vehicles since the current Rolls-Royce Phantom to have suicide doors. Also I cannot think of any other production-line 4-door cabriolet since the Lincoln Continental.

1961 Lincoln Continental.

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