PRICE £ pls ask PPLATE NOT INC
YEAR 1971
ENGINE 3499cc/V8/OHC/Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection
POWER 200bhp@5800rpm
TORQUE 211lb ft@4000rpm
MAXIMUM SPEED 131mph  
0-60MPH 9.0sec
GEARBOX RWD, four-speed automatic
MILEAGE 112,016 miles
MOT 7 February 2022
CHASSIS NUMBER 111602622003446
COLOUR Metallic Beige (462)
INTERIOR Brown and beige cloth (no cost option over leather)
WIDTH 1842mm
LENGTH 4883mm 

BACKGROUND
When it comes to sheer European automotive elegance, few cars can match the grace and beauty of Paul Bracq’s 1950s and 1960s designs for Mercedes-Benz. Characterised by their distinctive vertically-stacked headlamps - at a time when not that many cars were more adventurous than single circular items - his creations included the ultra-luxurious 600, the sporty W113 ‘Pagoda’ SL roadsters, and, as we have here, the exquisite W108 coupés and convertibles. They were adored by those who could afford them, and their appearances alongside the rich and glamorous of the 1960s and 1970s did the images of the cars themselves, as well as those who were driving them, no harm whatsoever.

The origins of the breed can be traced back to the mid-range W111 ‘Fintail’ saloons, which emerged in 1959 in 220 and 220S form. While these were designed by Karl Wilfert and Friedrich Geiger, Bracq made his influence felt with the two-door SE coupé and convertible variants, launched in 1961. By now, the era of rear fins had peaked, so one of the features that Bracq changed was the rear aspect, getting rid of the fins. For the roof, he designed a svelte pillarless hardtop, with wraparound front and rear screens. The convertibles looked very similar to the cabriolets with their hoods up, but were arguably even more attractive with them down.

These 220 models had 120bhp 2195cc six-cylinder engines, and were joined by the hugely expensive 170bhp 300SE models in 1962; with their 2996cc engines, they were twice the price of their smaller-engined siblings. 1965 saw the 220SE superseded by the 250SE, but the 300SE remained as the flagship.

Then came 1968 and the introduction of the 280SE coupés and convertibles with 2778cc engines. It was all getting a little confusing (especially as the factory designation had changed from W111 to W108/109, albeit with little in the way of visual changes) and Mercedes-Benz didn’t exactly help unravel matters with 1969’s 280SE 3.5 Coupé and Cabriolet. Okay, deep breath while we try and explain this. The 280SE 3.5 had much the same W111 body as its predecessors, but the underpinnings of the mid-1960s-launched W108 models. However, despite the 280SE designation, its engine was a fuel-injected 3499cc V8 (hence the 3.5 in the title), designed to appeal to American buyers. With 200bhp on tap, it was good for 125mph when fully unleashed. Squatter front grilles and rubber inserts on the double decker bumpers visually marked the V8s out from their six-cylinder stablemates; that was until you started them, at which point the deeper bass soundtrack and more powerful, silken performance made it clear just how superior the 3.5 cars were in every way.

The 280SE 3.5s were only one notch down from the flagship 600 leviathans, in terms of status and prestige. But their reign as crown princesses was quite shortlived; they were discontinued in 1971. However, their legacy lives on as one of THE classic Mercedes-Benz models to invest in, with great looks, lavish luxury and impressive performance. It all makes for a wonderful, exclusive and classy package. And one that is ultra-desirable.

OUR CAR
This example is one of only 245 right-hand drive cars and remarkably a two owner car - so the gentleman who acquired it in 1971, a Mr Gibbons of London, must have truly loved it. He went for an impressive colour - while paint code 462 is officially named Metallic Beige in the Mercedes- Benz catalogue, it’s a far more vibrant golden colour than mere beige, metallic or otherwise. Its new owner must have been quite the man around town in 1970s’ London.

We’re able to trace the much of the car’s history, thanks to its substantial history file, packed with bills and invoices dating back to the 1970s. They run right through to (almost) the present day, and what’s obvious is just how much care and attention this car has received over the years. The most recent job dates from February this year, when there was some recommissioning work including a comprehensive service plus thorough inspection, along with new front shock absorbers, attention to the brakes and five new Michelin tyres. The tally for all that came to a £4901.46. But, with an MoT to February of next year, this is a car that’s good to go.

The paperwork folder also contains magazine articles on the 280SE 3.5, along with two leather wallets containing the original service book, owner’s manual, parts catalogue and sales and service booklet. There’s also a lot, possibly even all, of the MoTs, dating back over many years.

BODYWORK
What immediately impresses about this Mercedes is just how great it looks, despite having covered over 112,000 miles and being 50 years old. The paint is an even shade throughout, and it’s in excellent condition. While it’s unclear whether the car has ever been restored, we suspect it must have had some new paintwork over the years to be as good at is. There are hardly any stonechips to be found on the body, and the only real imperfection is a small area of ‘orange peel’ paint adjacent to the nearside headlamp. Some of the weatherstripping around the rear window and nearside quarterlight displays a little ageing, but it’s very far from being perished to the point where replacement might have to be considered. Overall, this is a car in excellent unmolested condition.

The underneath of the car has been comprehensively undersealed, and there’s the reassurance of that recent MoT meaning that the underpinnings have been thoroughly and professionally checked out, and deemed solid and safe. The exhaust looks pretty much brand new.

The brightwork is all in very good order, although there’s some minor pitting on the rear light surround. But those heavy duty double bumpers are in superb nick, front and rear. Pull the rear petrol flap down - it’s behind the the back numberplate - and you’ll find the original stickers for the tyre pressures and reminding you to top up the oil still in place.

The tyres are Michelin XWX 205/70 VR14 items, and they’re fresh from the tyre-fitter, being date-stamped 2020. Suffice to say, they’ve seen very few miles. The colour-coded aluminium wheeltrims they surround show some superficial edge scuffing in places, but you have to get up very close to see it; under normal viewing, they look lovely and aren’t bent or dented as these thin metal items can sometimes be if they haven’t been looked after.

INTERIOR
You don’t really get mere car seats with one of these Mercedes-Benzes. They’re more very capacious and comfortable armchairs, complete with central arm rests in the centre. Occupants don’t so much sit in as sink into them. Just as with the outside, the inside has obviously been looked after very carefully. The brown and beige velour seats have minimal wear; you’ll find some of the driver’s one as well as two small seam splits, but the passenger and rear bench have lasted very well.

The carpets are clean and tidy, with the front footwells usually protected by deep pile mats - we removed them for purposes of photography, so you can see what the actual carpets are like. But they will come with the car. The door cards are similarly exemplary. The wood on the dash is reasonably good, but that under the windscreen - and thus subject to the strongest rays from the sun - has deteriorated somewhat from 50 years of UV exposure.

All the gauges and controls work. The electric windows go up and down rapidly, and the electric sliding sunroof works perfectly; as there’s no air-con on this car, it’s a very useful and choice feature to have.

A modern Sony CD/radio is fitted, which perhaps clashes with the baroque environment around it. However, courtesy of two Pioneer speakers discretely installed in the front footwells, and another two less covertly on the rear parcel shelf, it does give very good sound, and is mated to the original Hirschmann electric aerial; when the stereo is turned on, the mast automatically comes up, when switched off, it promptly retracts again.

The huge boot is carpeted and is spick-and-span. It holds a Michelin spare tyre that is just as new as the rest of the rubber. There is a tool roll , jack and wheel brace, even the default sunroof opening tool!

ENGINE AND RUNNING GEAR
The big V8 really fills up the engine bay. The motor and its surroundings are generally clean, and there’s no sign of DIY-tinkering with new bits of wiring plumbed in, save for a C Teck quick charge plug attached to the battery terminals. All the wiring and pipework seems sound, and, so soon after a full service, all the fluids are at the right levels and look healthy. The radiator top has lost much of its black paint, so the brass beneath is showing through proving the originality of this ONE owner car. The soundproofing/insulation material under the bonnet is undisturbed and undamaged, and original information and warning stickers are still in situ.

This car drives just as well as it looks. Being a V8 Mercedes, 112,000 miles isn’t as high a mileage as it might be in a lesser vehicle, and the scrupulous maintenance over the years has obviously paid dividends, because the engine starts easily and runs smoothly and steadily. The noise from the V8 doesn’t intrude into the cabin that much, unless you push the car a bit. Which you can do, as 200bhp is a useful amount of power to have on tap, and the automatic gearbox shifts are almost unnoticeable, unless you rouse kickdown. While this is much more a cruiser than a sports car, it handles well despite the soft, cosseting ride, with well-weighted power steering that is direct and tight. The brakes are very impressive; these aren’t exactly lightweight machines, but the brakes bite hard and effectively, with no diving to one side or the other.

SUMMARY
These Mercedes-Benz coupés are among the most desirable of the marque’s classics. They’re beautifully put together, rare and oh-so-handsome, with a real road presence that commands respect. But they also have performance that means they can easily cope with modern traffic conditions, and will pamper you as they do so. This one is, in our opinion, an especially fine and distinguished example, and with all the money recently spent, it’s a vehicle that can be used and enjoyed straight away. And with summer now upon us, that sunroof could prove very seductive...

While Greenside Cars Ltd has tried to ensure information and assessments are accurate and complete, we are aware that some errors and omissions may occur from time to time. We are not able, therefore, to guarantee the accuracy of information and cannot accept liability for loss or damage arising from it. We highly recommend that you examine any vehicle to check the reliability of the information supplied. Please contact us for further details, images, or to arrange a viewing of this Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe.

PRICE

£ Available PPlate not inc

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YEAR

1971

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ENGINE

3499cc

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MILEAGE

112,016

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COLOUR

METALLIC BEIGE

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To enquire about this vehicle or request a viewing, please contact us via phone or email.