Mercedes-Benz S-Class III (W111/W112) gallery (1959–1971)

Third generation flagship series Mercedes-Benz W111/W112 (1959–1971), featuring air suspension and early V8 engine options.

All photos 1765 I (W187) 0 1951–1955 II (W180/W128) 0 1954–1959 III (W111/W112) 0 1959–1971 IV (W108/W109) 0 1965–1972 V (W116) 0 1972–1980 VI (W126) 98 1979–1991 VII (W140) 18 1991–1998 VIII (W220) 30 1998–2005 IX (W221) 181 2005–2013 X (W222) 1300 2013–2020 XI (W223) 104 2020

The luxury Mercedes-Benz W111 and W112 series, manufactured from 1959 through 1971, represented the high-end flagship evolution of the 'Fintail' design era. Featuring prominent vertical stacked headlights and expansive panoramic glass windows, the W111 offered four-door sedans, coupes, and cabriolets. The prestigious W112 variant (300 SE / 300 SEL) elevated luxury further with additional exterior chrome accents, standard power steering, and a factory automatic transmission.

Under the hood, W111 models utilized smooth inline-six engines ranging from 2.2 to 2.8 liters (220 b, 230 S, 250 SE, 280 SE), culminating near the end of production in the potent 3.5-liter M116 V8 engine in the 280 SE 3.5. The top-tier W112 flagship housed an all-aluminum 3.0-liter M189 six-cylinder engine derived directly from the 300 SL Gullwing, mated to an advanced four-wheel self-leveling pneumatic air suspension system that provided serene ride dynamics and automatic leveling under heavy loads. Power was managed through a four-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. Two-door coupes and convertibles continued hand-finished production until 1971, earning lasting international recognition as timeless classic automotive masterpieces.