I do not believe you could get away with that type of abuse and still have a functional engine. I think the more likely scenario is that the temperature gauge was not displaying the proper temperature.

I once bought a W123 to use as a parts car and the temperature would redline immediately once turning it on after sitting for a few days. It would always run that way.

I think if you were driving it at speed and had coolant in it, the only way it would redline would be if the coolant pump was not turning which would likely mean the alternator belt was gone.

Dkr.