• Campaigned in period by “The Rally Professor”, Rauno Aaltonen
• Outright winner of the 1961 Rally of the 1000 Lakes
• An ideal machine for long-distance historic rallies
• Restored to period-correct rally-winning specification

Please note this car is titled as 10014930.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass die Zulassungspapiere dieses Fahrzeugs die Fahrgestellnummer verkürzt als 10014930 angeben.

Launched in 1959, Mercedes-Benz W111 was quickly dubbed the Heckflosse—or tail fin—in its native Germany, in reference to the model’s smart styling. Business-like in appearance, the saloon would later be joined by more glamorous Paul Bracq-penned coupé and cabriolet variants, but it was the four-door that would prove most popular with buyers. And, curiously, with those of a motorsport bent.

On paper, the Mercedes-Benz 220 was far from sporting. Its workaday 2.2-litre straight-six was no fireball, and it had to be rowed hard to overcome a not inconsiderable kerb weight of 1,334 kilograms. But in that weight lay strength, and the model became an unexpected hit on the rally stage, particularly in top-spec fuel-injected form. It proved just the tool for punishing long-distance events, winning the 1960 Rallye Monte-Carlo the 1961 Algiers-Cape Town trans-African Rally.

Finnish hot-shoe Rauno Aaltonen was also a fan, no doubt influenced by his father owning a Mercedes-Benz dealership in his hometown of Turku. Alongside Siutla Pentii, Aaltonen campaigned a Mercedes-Benz 220SE in the 1960 Jyväskylän Suurajot—or Rally of the 1000 Lakes—bringing the car home in 7th overall. He hoped to repeat the success the following year, this time paired with Väinö Nurmimaa, but the promised Works car never materialised. His father sourced a brand-new example—said to be chassis 014930—straight from the showroom floor, which was hastily modified for competition. The registration plates from the previous car—EH 220—were fitted, along with a lightweight rear bench, stiffer springs, and a front bumper sourced from a Kaiser. Small compensation came from the factory in the form of eight 15-inch steel wheels.

What followed was a stunning win for both Aaltonen and the Mercedes-Benz, as the big saloon was steered to overall victory ahead of 59 other finishers, completing the rally more than five minutes ahead of the Citroën ID 19 of Pauli Toivonen and Jaakko Kallio.

The Aaltonen family is said to have returned the car to road specification before selling it to Harri Tuomi. The Mercedes-Benz resurfaced in 1999, when it was registered for the road wearing the registration plate “MAM-29”. By 5 August 1999 the car was wearing the plate “EH-220”, which is still present. Shortly after—and finished in competition specification—the car was put on display in the Mobilia Rally Museum in Kangasala. It was bought by Juha Liukkonen in 2001 and remained in the museum until May 2022, when it was purchased by the consigning owner. They sourced a period-correct battery and hoses, changed some electrical connections, and fitted a “correct” Kaiser bumper.
This 1961 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE represents a fascinating period in the Three-Pointed Star’s competition history, and could be the perfect companion for long-distance tours and historic rallies. To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mu22.