Nowadays, it’s almost more common than not to see a brand-new Porsche or Ferrari donning the latest iteration of Oak Green Metallic or Verde British, perhaps more so than the usual Rosso Corsa or Gentian Blue. That’s likely down to social media, and the rise of accounts like Green Over Tan, a place where I let a previously unloved colour combination sing to its heart’s content. Back in the 1970s, long before Instagram, or even the internet for that matter, opting for a shade of emerald was a true connissuers choice and, in the case of this Mercedes-Benz, I would have loved to meet the individual who opted for this over the usual Astral Silver or Deep Blue.
My eyes were well and truly glued to this early 1970s riviera wafter available at LARO Sportwagen Classic & Sports Cars, finished in one of Mercedes-Benz’s finest shades, Dunkelolivgrün or Dark Olive, which dances between near-black and vibrant green. The elongated body lines of the W111 are only getting better with age, especially when swathed in this non-metallic shade, which truly comes to life when it encounters sunlight. A bouquet of chrome helps to define this Benz’s subtle body lines, while the interior is just as inviting, especially with the brown canvas roof tipped right the way back, allowing the two-tone cognac leather to soak in daylight on every occasion.
Once you settle into the sprung, armchair-like seats, you’re blessed with a symphony of walnut and leather, elegantly twisting its way around the chrome-finished switchgear and period-styled modern Becker Stereo that features Bluetooth and satellite navigation. This is a car that holds nothing back when it comes to experiencing the joys of the open road, and whether you’re lucky enough to be behind the wheel or riding shotgun, simply gliding along in this Benz is something you'll likely never forget.
This 1972 example has one final ace up its sleeve, or rather under its bonnet. This emerald drop-top has been lovingly converted to house a powerful 8-cylinder engine, sourced from a W126 500SE from 1981. Additionally, the rear axle from a 6.3 with a differential lock has been installed to ensure optimal driving performance. With just over 231 horsepower on tap, it’s likely that new heart transplant has certainly given this W111 even more road presence, if that’s even possible!
