Description
This french registered, LHD, 1968 280SE saloon, presents a very rare opportunity. It has not turned a wheel since 1989, and will need recommissioning. What is so unusual is that it was in excellent condition when it was put away, and shows no sign of any corrosion.
The car was bought by the french husband of a friend in 1986. In 1989 he went to work in New York for five years, locked the car away, and never got around to using it again. The car is now for sale due to his untimely death last year.
There is plenty of history with the car, proving the low mileage of 106, 192 km. The engine bay is still extremely clean, and shows that the car was looked after very carefully.
Underneath the twenty years of dust and grime the bodywork appears completely sound. After all this time in a cold damp lockup, any corrosion would have erupted, and there simply isn’t any. The paint on the bonnet has problems, and will need repainting, but the rest of the car looks good. Nasty little corners like the door shuts and the bulkhead at the rear of the engine bay still wear their factory paint in good order. The chrome was plainly excellent, and will clean up well.
I have not been able to inspect the underside.
The interior is dark blue Tex. It is covered in mildew, but is in excellent shape under the mould. The driver’s seat is firm, with no wear on the side bolster. The carpets are good, as is the woodwork on the dash. The strip under the windscreen is sun damaged, as they always are. The headlining is perfect. The original Becker Grand Prix radio is still fitted. With careful cleaning this will be an immaculate, original interior.
The only extras appear to be automatic transmission and electric windows. The car has no aftermarket additions.
The car is located in Putney. I am dealing with the sale for the previous owner’s widow.
If I didn’t already own a Ponton 180 and have a BMW project in the garage, I would have loved to have taken this on. It really is a remarkable opportunity.
