Description
Our Mercedes 280SE started life in California. It is a California Blue plate car so was always registered there. It has the 4. 5 litre V8 with a column change auto gearbox and power steering. In my opinion a stunning looking car in the original Mercedes colour of Tunis Beige metallic with tan MB Tex upholstery.
It’s a typical Cali rust free car which has been correctly maintained over the years rather than being restored. The bodywork has, no doubt, had paint on various panels but I suspect most of the car is original paint. The chrome is really nice and it is running on white band tyres which really set off the original, colour coded, wheel trims.
The interior is in very good original condition including the original carpets. We had the rear seat repadded as the padding had disintegrated. At the same time we had a new headlining fitted, only because it had at some stage come loose by the rear curtesy light and had been badly glued. There is a repaired crack on the top of the dash which is typical but does not distract from the overall feel of the car. Everything works in the car including the Dekker Mexico radio with electric aerial, the original air con and all gauges and central locking. The drivers electric window is occasionally a little slow but I think on a 46 year old car this is acceptable .
The car drives just as a big Mercedes should. The V8 starts first time, even when left for a length of time, and sounds fantastic. It goes through the gears smoothly and there are no untoward noises. The mileage is showing just over 25000 miles which I suspect is 125000 miles though you never know. It came to us with no history but the car really speaks for itself.
I am no Mercedes expert and bought the car because we liked it but since it arrived in May 2019 we just have not had chance to use it much or our other classics due to business commitments and life in general. It is not a perfect, restored, car. There are the odd scratches or imperfections and the door rubbers could do with replacing but overall it is a magnificent original Mercedes with a lot of presence and the wonderful roar of the big V8. It was MOTed on arrival in the UK although it is MOT exempt and road tax exempt and will be MOTed for its new custodian.
The car really needs to be seen to be fully appreciated. Viewings are welcome and please feel free to call to discuss the car.
