The Mercedes-Benz W116 range was produced between 1972 and 1980.

It hails from a time when Mercedes built cars up to a standard, not down to a price, and when everything they did was almost obsessively over-engineered.

The W116 automobiles were the first models to officially carry S-Class nomenclature.

The underlying design concept of the W116 built upon themes originally introduced on the R107 SL-Class roadster, as evidenced by the front and rear lights. The W116 was designed by Friedrich Geiger, a chap whose Mercedes-Benz career started with the 500K in 1933.

The W116 model range introduced two versions of the M110 engine. The 280S (using a Solex carburetor) and the 280SE (using Bosch D-Jetronic injection), plus the 350SE, powered by the M116 3. 5 litre V8 engine.

The ‘S’ derived from the word ‘sonderklasse’, meaning ‘special class’. If the ‘S’ was appended with an ‘E’, then the car was fitted with fuel injection, or ‘einspritzung’. If it was further appended with an ‘L’, then it was the long (or ‘lang’) wheelbase model.

Which all makes sense, really.

These cars sold very well around the world and helped establish a reputation for build quality, innovation and luxury that Mercedes built upon with the W126 and every subsequent model range until, some might argue, they began to take their corporate eyes off the quality prize sometime in the 1990s.

But enough of all that.

We think you’d like to know exactly how a 1979 280SE looked and drove when it first rolled off the production line.

We can help you there.

Because this car is quite possibly the most authentic, original classic we have ever offered for sale and quite simply has to be seen to be believed. It is truly extraordinary and will, we’re utterly confident, exceed the expectations of anyone and everyone who cares to come and have a look.