Highlights

Highly original and well kept 2.8L C123 coupe
Single family ownership from new
Virtually full service history dating back to the mid-1990s
Only 84,374 miles on the clock
Recently eligible and registered as a Historic Vehicle
Smart and very usable example

The Appeal

The C123 was a masterstroke of design. Mercedes’ designers took the boxy W123 saloon and extracted from it a sleek and handsome pillarless coupe. These cars make great long-distance cruisers and still work well and look good as daily drivers. Quite an achievement for 40-year-oldld car.

This lovely 1983 280CE would do either job perfectly. It has been in the same family since new and has clocked up less than 85,000 miles. That is low for a 42-year-old car and barely run in for the M110 straight six motor.

Finished in dark blue with a sumptuous full leather dark blue cabin, accented by Zebrano veneers, this car has never been restored and is therefore highly original. It would be perfect as a daily, or with little work, would make a magnetic show car.

The history file dates back to the 1990s and confirms the care of its long term family keepers. It is a matching numbers, factory-standard car that is said to run very well with no issues for the buyer to pick up. As a further incentive, it is now usefully registered as a Historic Vehicle so it is MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt.

The vendor says:

“Always has been a pleasure to drive, runs as it did 42 years ago which with only 84,374 miles on the clock is not surprising. Some fifteen years ago it was featured in the Mercedes magazine as having the lowest known mileage of an '83 Mercedes 280CE.”

The History and Paperwork

First registered 7th September 1983
Four registered keepers from new
Acquired by seller’s husband in 1983
Re-registerd to seller’s mother due to parking permit controls
Re-registered to seller’s wife in 2016
Always driven by the seller’s husband from new
Seller advises it has virtually full service history available from mid-1990s
Registered as a historic vehicle
Featured in the Mercedes magazine 15 years ago due to low mileage
Various invoices from recent years as shown
Old tax discs
Current and previous V5C
V5C in current keeper’s name
Registered as a Historic Vehicle so MOT, tax and ULEZ exempt
Last MOT expired 28th October 2023 at 83,913 miles with minor advisory
Now showing 84,369 miles

The Condition

Original dark blue paintworkin good order for year with no significant scrapes or marks
There are some minor paint chips and marks to note but nothing detracts overall
Bodywork presents very well across arches, sills and screen bases
There is some light bubbling to note to the offside front arch
No dents or accident damage reported or noted on HPI report
Underside reported to be in good condition with no structural advisories on last MOT
Chromework in good order but being original some light aging should be anticipated
Sits on correct factory steel wheels with body colour and chrome trims in good order
Uniroyal tyres appear to be in good condition with no issues reported
Exterior lights present well at front and rear with no damage reported
Dark blue leather interior in good condition for age with some marks typical of originality
These include light wear to front seat bolsters as shown in photos
Front seats would likely respond to recolouring and general light repairs
Rear seat fitted with headrests and appear to have been little used
Zebrano wood veneers appear to be in fair condition for age of car
Carpets in good order with some age due to originality
Fitted with rubber factory-branded over mats to front footwells
Fitted with a modern Pioneer Bluetooth stereo with CD multichanger in boot
Carpet in boot area in good order with some light staining typical of age of car
Vendor reports that interior trim is slightly distorted in top corners
Switchgear, door cards, headlining and dials all in good order except as noted
No reported faults with electrics, lighting, dials or switchgear
No dashboard warning lights advised

The Mechanics

2,746cc M110 straight six fuel injected engine
4spd automatic gearbox
Vendor tells us the mechanicals are original and standard
Well maintained car with history dating back to 1990s
We are told that the engine is running perfectly
Described as ‘always a pleasure to drive and runs as it did 42 years ago’
No reported running or driving issues
Minor advisory to note on last MOT from autumn 2022

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 is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own 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 on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.

✓ 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..