The Fintail

The “Fintail” models 220, 220 S and 220 SE (W 111) introduced in 1959 received their nickname from the discreet fintail that embellished the rear wings – officially these were known as “guide rods” in view of their function as a parking aid. The new luxury class generation was a very special milestone in automobile history, as this was the first time the safety body with crumple zones and a rigid passenger cell invented by Béla Barényi was incorporated into a series production model. Presented in 1961, the 300 SE (W 112) as the top model in the series featured an air suspension system and the automatic transmission developed by Mercedes-Benz as standard equipment. In 1963 the long-wheelbase version of this model founded a new tradition in the luxury class saloon portfolio of Mercedes-Benz: the 100-millimetre longer wheelbase gave passengers in the rear significantly more legroom and travelling comfort.