MERCEDES BENZ S-Klasse "Grosse Heckflosse" (W111/W112) 1959-1968 Photos, engines & full specs

In August 1959, Mercedes-Benz introduced its new top-luxury model: the 220 model. A car built in the American style of “fintail”, but with German engineering.

The transition to the “ponton” style bodyworks, with flushed fenders and doors, was continued to the new generation of the upper-class vehicles from Mercedes-Benz. The new range was introduced with six-cylinder engines and with a specific motto: “A class of its own”. They were built on two different chassis: the W111 from 1959 and on the W112 from 1961.

From the outside, the grille was narrower than the front fascia. It covered only the radiator's area. The tall and narrow headlights were placed on the front side of the fenders. Depending on the engine, the car featured more or less chromed elements. In the back, the taillights were installed horizontally, despite the tall rear sides of the quarter panels in a slim tail fin that gave the car the nickname “fintail”. The vehicles built on the W112 chassis featured a chromed element on the C-pillar.

Inside, the car offered up to five seats on comfortable seats for the front and a wide bench in the back. The leather upholstery was not standard and most of the cars were fitted with cloth seats. The column-mounted gear-shift lever. The instrument cluster was narrow and tall.

The W111 and the W112 models, were powered by 6-cylinders engines only with power ranged between 95 hp and 160 hp. The 3.0-liter engine was carried over from the 300 d model. In those times, “d” didn't mean diesel. For the transmission, the car was available with a 4-speed manual and, from 1961, with a 4-speed automatic produced by Mercedes-Benz.