Imagine that you are a scion of a prestigious East Coast family, who followed the family tradition of military service as a naval aviator, and was awarded an Air Medal during World War II, and was later was made partner of a well-respected investment firm. You might very well reward yourself at the pinnacle of your career with the purchase of the finest four-passenger car made by Mercedes-Benz, a rakish cabriolet, of course. This is just what Theodore Roosevelt III, grandson of the president whose face is carved into Mount Rushmore, did in 1960, taking delivery of this brand new 220 SE Cabriolet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The car was driven and enjoyed over the years by both Roosevelt and the second owner, a near neighbor in the same Philadelphia suburb, accumulating over 100,000 miles while always being carefully maintained at the Mercedes-Benz dealer. The extensive file of service records fully documents the maintenance received, as well as the miles driven.

The cabriolet was recently purchased by a well-known collector to make sure it would be treated with the respect it deserved and that its originality and provenance would continue to be appreciated. Over the past six months, the car has been given over $10,000 of additional maintenance work, including standard replacement of fluids, belts, and hoses, as well as rebuilding the Bosch fuel injection pump. While being serviced, the engine compartment was also tidied up and detailed.

Built in 1959, registered as a 1960 model year, the Mercedes-Benz is still painted in the original black exterior color, which does appear to have had some areas repainted over the years but still takes a deep shine. The interior is trimmed in the original parchment leather hides as enjoyed over the years by Roosevelt. Who can guess what distinguished passengers might have occupied the other seats?

The car is now ready to be driven on organized long-distance tours as well as around town on special occasions, enjoyed for its stylish comfort, excellent performance, and reliability. This exceptional 220 SE should easily qualify for a Mercedes-Benz Club of America Silver Star Certificate for preservation. But above and beyond the pure pleasure of owning a fine car from the mid-1960s, this 220 SE cabriolet offers the unique satisfaction of ownership of a tangible connection with American presidential history. This is not just an automobile, it is a wellspring of stories to be reimagined and retold at any gathering of aficionados of automobiles and tradition.