It was launched in 1959, the same year that Cadillac launched its new Eldorado with the biggest fins the world had seen. Mercedes-Benz chose a more sober design, but was quickly called Heckflosse, Fintail - finn-Mercedes, or fen-Merca in Swedish. The design broke with its predecessor's sober "pontoon" bodywork. Two types were made. The W110 had a shorter front, less equipment and 4-cylinder engines. The W111 designation was reserved for cars with sixes. It had more chrome accenting the fins, more luxurious interior, and had upright headlights. I have seen it referred to under the name Grosse Heckflosse - or large fin Mercedes.
Engines
The engine was originally a 2.2-litre straight six and was offered in three variants, 220, 220 S and 220 SE. From 1965 it came as the 230 (W110) and 230 S (W111). It is also worth mentioning the 300 SE (W112) which could be delivered in a long version. In the long version, with air suspension, this was the best Mercedes-Benz could offer presidents, sheikhs and shipowners right up to the launched 600 (W100).
When the fins disappeared
Finner was a flop in the late 50s. In 1965, the W111 was replaced by a completely new design, the W108. It was technically similar to its predecessor, but had a more rounded body that was better suited to the latter half of the 60s. The W110 only received a facelift and continued with the same body. The W111 – the big Finn Mercedes – was still produced in parallel, but with only one engine option: the 230 S.
W111 Coupe
The 2-door variant of the W111 never caught on, and remained modern for over 10 years, as Mercedes-Benz models often do. In the latter half of the 60s, it received engine designations such as 250 SE, 280 SE and 300 SE. The 2-door versions were produced in parallel with the new W114 until 1971.
W111 Convertible
About the pictures (4 doors)
The Swedish-registered ivory-white car was photographed on the occasion of the 2018 Stjerneløpet in Fornebu. The gray sedan was photographed outside a car meet at Gamle Borre station. The same car is also pictured outside the 2021 Hofftreffet. The ivory-white 300SE was photographed at a previous Oslo Motorshow at Exporama outside Oslo. The gray car with a green roof and Barock rims participated in the Veteranbildagen in Tofte, Hurum, 2021. The photo of the black car in the front was taken in Kunstnergaten in Fornebu during the 2018 Stjerneløpet. This is a 1966 model Mercedes-Benz 230 S – the only “Finnish Mercedes” variant that was produced after 1965. The car with a steel cage and extra lights participated in a car meet at Bertel O. Steen in Lørenskog in 2025.
About the pictures (2 doors)
The white car on the grass mat participated in the Enfield Pageant of Motoring 2025. The beige coupe with a dark green roof was photographed at the Oslo Motorshow at Norges Varemesse Lillestrøm. The interior photo belongs to this car. The black coupe, a 280SE 3.5, was photographed at Holland Park in London. The gray coupe was photographed in Kulturgaten in Fornebu.
The convertible "280SE 4.5" was photographed in South Kensington, London. The white car with Norwegian plates participated in the Classic Weekend at Bertel O. Steen in Lørenskog in 2025.
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See
Stjernevognen.no - club for owners of classic Mercedes-Benz
