Highlights

Rare manual floorshift transmission
Distinctive navy blue leather interior
Part of the Louis Coetzer collection of 500+ cars
Original unmolested condition
Only 80,000 miles from new
On the button and ready to go!

The Appeal

The Mercedes-Benz 280SE represents one of the finest expressions of Stuttgart engineering from the late 1960s, combining elegant styling with robust mechanical components designed to last generations. This particular 1969 example stands out for its rare and desirable manual floorshift transmission, a feature that transforms the driving experience compared to the more common automatic variants. The combination of creamy white exterior over navy blue leather interior creates a sophisticated aesthetic that showcases the timeless design philosophy of Mercedes-Benz during this golden era.

What makes this specific 280SE especially worthy of consideration is its provenance from the Louis Coetzer collection, which comprised over 500 vehicles with a focus on Mercedes-Benz models. The car presents in original, unmolested condition with just 80,000 miles recorded, and comes complete with books and some history documentation to support its careful preservation over the decades.

The Vendor says:

"This Mercedes is totally original with zero rust; the scarce 280se injection floor shift manual is the one to have ... it's a great car!"

History and Paperwork

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE, previously part of the Louis Coetzer collection of over 500 cars
Comes with books and some history documentation
Features a mile-per-hour clock
Retains its original radio
Requires first registration with DVLA – a straightforward process.
AMG Classique in Cape Town have been through the car thoroughly ; including a full underside refurbishment ( no rust ; but all painted and new exhaust )
Plus a £2000 service bill after its 10 years of storage
The vendor is a former South African resident and is more than happy to assist with the registration process
He is even happy to handle the whole registration process with the DVLA for the buyer for a small fee if required
Car is currently on the water and due to land in the UK by 20/06/2025 and will be available for collection from Norwich, UK
All shipping costs and import taxes have been paid by the vendor

The Condition

Presented in creamy white exterior paintwork
Rare and distinctive navy blue leather interior
Original and unmolested condition throughout
Interior components and controls reported to be in working order
Underside appears in very good condition

image00082.jpeg 2.93 MB

The Mechanics

2.8-litre engine
Manual floorshift transmission
The vendor states that "everything just works"
Reported to be mechanically sound
Odometer shows 80,000 miles
Will receive a comprehensive check-over by the vendors mechanic prior to collection
On the button and ready to go!

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's fee. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.

✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection

or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it's worth checking beforehand.