Ever wonder how an Italian design firm would reimagine a German Q-ship? Here’s an answer, this one-off 1969 Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL by Pininfarina.
A Dutch lithographer loved the 300 SEL, but he wanted a convertible. Mercedes-Benz refused. He asked for a coupe. That was also a no. The compan…
Love this car in profile, the proportions, the interior (those headrests!), and the engine. Front end and rear end treatments are awkward, stacked quad headlights like the 300SE would have been better and large round single headlights like the 300SL better still. A four-speed or five-speed stick for me, please.
Sorry but not really a pretty car
At Pebble Beach in 2021, I spotted a W113 Mercedes (230/250/280SL) with Pininfarina bodywork. It had a fixed roof and was subtly different from the stock SL.
I did get photos but they're on the "old" computer (you know how that goes). That was a great year, as I had the assignment to drive five SLs belonging to Mercedes, including a stock 280SL -- and the dream of a lifetime, a 1957 300SL roadster. Best day at work ever.
(That's Ralph Wagenknecht of Mercedes Classic Division in the mask -- this was the first concours after the pandemic. I'm sure they had him ride with me, and not any of the other SLs, because none of those had recently sold for $1.4 million. I'm not saying I would have driven it home to Oregon if he hadn't been in the car with me, but...)
Would love to know the story behind the headlights. 
In reply to CrustyRedXpress :
Great question. Let's see what I can find out.
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