A perennially popular classic, Mercedes’ luxury saloon has timelessly elegant styling and a strong following. It’s easy to see why too - the proportions and detailing on Mercedes from this period are second to none, and their reliability is the stuff of legend.

This is a fine example of the breed too, benefitting from an unusual and rare burgundy finish, with complementary tobacco leather interior, white wall tyres and lashings of chrome. Overall, this example (recently imported from South Africa) presents well but will require some recommissioning to get it back to peak condition. One of the key attractions here is that South Africa’s dry conditions have done a remarkable job in helping to preserve this very original 280SE. So the bones here are very good.

Think of this as a project: in need of a service and with some areas which require attention internally and externally. But it’s easy to see the destination: a beautifully proportioned high end classic saloon in an unusual and attractive colour. Get your bid in now to have a hand in reinvigorating this desirable and usable classic.

Swing open the door and you are presented with a cabin that is all original but which has clearly lived a life. While all of the signature design flourishes are there, in some cases they will need some TLC to bring them back to their best. Having said that, we do love the patina, and the best course of action may be a light touch restoration internally – one that preserves the vehicle’s history and character.

The seats are showing signs of wear and would benefit from some attention including, the seller advises, new seat bases in the front. The woodwork is in fair condition and all of the switchgear is said to be functioning as it should.

Each of the door cards is intact and in presentable condition, although showing some creasing. It should be noted that the door rubbers will need to be replaced. The footwells could also use some fresh carpet, but the floor looks to be solid underneath. While the boot lining is missing, the boot floor itself looks complete and solid, with only minimal signs of some surface corrosion.

Overall then, a fine basis for some cosmetic restoration.

Finished in an unusual shade, with nice brightwork and white wall tyres, this Mercedes presents generally very well. The rare colour scheme suits the car’s proportions very well, and helps to really make the brightwork stand out.

Closer inspection reveals that the paintwork has been the subject of some localised repairs, while the bonnet shows a little paint crazing – something to be expected with an original car of this vintage. There are some areas of corrosion which are detailed in the pictures, and the offside side light lens has a small hole. 

When it comes to the paintwork, there are some marks and scratches, but the seller believes that a good polish would pay dividends in bringing this lovely old luxury saloon back to its best.

The wheel trims are in good condition and the tyres show good tread all round. Underneath, the seller reports that there is some evidence of corrosion but that it doesn’t look to be extensive.

There are few things in life as reliable as Mercedes’ lovely 2.8 straight-six, and here it’s mated to a manual transmission. So you not only get the benefit of that glorious-sounding engine, but the joy of holding it in gear to hear that barrel-chested six sing a little more!

Under the bonnet, it all looks to be original and tidy, and has been fitted with a modern battery. The seller reports that the car goes well. However, it could do with a service and there are a few items that need addressing: the accelerator is sticking, the power steering needs servicing and the handbrake requires attention. 

Given these issues, he recommends that the car is trailered away and repairs made before it’s driven any more extensively than the limited use he’s given it since it arrived in the UK.

There’s a good reason these cars prove to be so popular with collectors – they drive beautifully, they look great and they’re built incredibly well. So when the chance comes to get one on your driveway, especially in such a desirable specification as this, you really do have to grab it.

Don’t miss this opportunity to breathe new life into a beautiful, imposing luxury saloon which, once recommissioned, should make for a lovely usable classic.