The 4 door Heckflosse models were produced from 1959 until 1968, these are also called W110, W111 and W112 by Mercedes-Benz. They were known to the public as 190, 190D, 220, 220S, 220SE, 300 SE and 300SE LWB (Long Wheel Base), after 1965 they were replaced by the 200, 200D, 230 and 230S. The 220 SE was replaced by the 250SE (W108), the 300 SE and SE LWB by the new W108 and W109 300 models.

The 2 door models were produced from 1961 until 1971, these are also called W111 and W112 by Mercedes-Benz. They were known to the public as 220SE, 250SE, 300 SE, 280SE and 280SE 3,5 Coupé and Convertible. Mercedes didn't really had a suitable successor for the 2 door models, you might mention the SLC models as successor of the 2 door models.

Why the name Heckflosse? Well, the name Heckflosse, or Fintail in English speaking countries, is a nickname given to this type of Mercedes. Because these cars show American influences, in this case the little 'fins' on their back (though in comparison with the ones found on the Americans these fins are barely noticeable), people started calling them Heckflossen.The name is not officialy given by Mercedes-Benz. The word Heckflosse is the German translation of the word Fintail, 'Heck' means 'tail' and 'flosse' means 'fin'