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1971 Mercedes 300 SEL

DONOVANS
Restored 1971 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 Litre
JMO 9K
This rare car was once originally owned by 1960’s 1970’s ‘mellow yellow’ pop icon Donovan. This model is one of the most expensive saloon cars Mercedes have made, and are still considered as their flagship saloon. The car was built in 1971 but registered in England in 1972. During the time Donovan owned the car it was often driven from his home on the Wentworth Estate in Surrey. The car was also featured in a promotional video with Donovan where it is being driven down the Marylebone Road in London and has also been photographed next to the famous EUC 1OOC white Rolls-Royce once owned by the Beatles. George Harrison from the Beatles and Bobby Whitlock from Derek and the Dominoes have also travelled in this car amongst other celebrities. Donovan also used the car in Southern Ireland for a while.
It took roughly two years to fully restore the car, in which spares from around the world where purchased to keep the originality. It was then featured in a few magazines as well as mentions on Radio2 and Capital Gold. The car has also been featured on the Mercedes Enthusiast calendar, and has been on display at Mercedes Benz World, Brooklands Surrey. It is a wonder that the car was still around to restore after its hard life especially as it was left outside in fields in the English weather for approximately five years sometime after Donovan sold it.
It can be seen that Donovan stuck one of his promotional record stickers on the back of the front driver’s seat and great care was taken to dye around the sticker. The long rear doors mean that this car was built to be chauffeured in rather than drive yourself and allows you more leg room. The large sunroof also gives you the feeling of openness when fully open. The car is considered advanced for its years as it uses adjustable self-levelling air suspension coupled with a large 6.3 litre fuel injected V8 engine. Due to its condition and history this 6.3 car is classed as one of the best right hand drive models around.