Description
This left-hand drive 280CE, finished in Classic White with a cream leather interior, was supplied new in Geneva, Switzerland to a British diplomat.
First registered in Geneva in May 1983 and optioned with electric windows, electric sunroof and leather trim, this 280CE remained in Switzerland with its first diplomat owner until the late nineties. Then it passed into the hands of another British gentleman living in Eastern France before being registered in the UK in 2002. In 2006 the car changed hands again, this time it alternated between Spain and the UK and remained with that owner until 2015 when it was purchased by the current keeper.
The car was regularly on show at Mercedes Club shows and won several awards including ‘Best Coupé’ at the 2010 National Concours. The rosettes come with the car.
There is a substantial folder of history that comes with the car, dating back to its early days along with its service book and a maintenance log indicating it’s been looked after.
Recent expenditure has included fitting a reconditioned steering box.
While the speedometer was replaced with an MPH clock after registration in the UK, the original KMPH clock comes with the car.
As the photos show this 123 coupé is in good condition. The body, usually the weak spot of these beautiful cars, is very good with bright paintwork and, importantly, no corrosion underneath. The brightwork is in good order too. The interior is largely good and original, but shows a little wear to the leather in places.
Mechanically this 280CE is very good – the M110 engine is quiet and holds good oil pressure, the gearbox smooth and the suspension compliant. On the road it drives beautifully with plenty of performance and an easy gait at motorway speeds.
Always admired for their timeless elegance, the 123 coupé combines beauty with a rugged resilience that makes them ideal classics to own and use as intended. This left-hand drive example is a fundamentally good car which can be enjoyed as it is, with scope for minor improvements. These still represent great value for a ‘chrome bumper era’ pillarless Mercedes coupé.
