Please note that the cherished registration number has been retained and WWT854J is back on the car
HIGHLIGHTS
Bare metal respray in 2019
Engine rebuild by Westgate Classics in 2017
Stored in a heated garage
THE BACKGROUND
Produced from 1965 to 1972 to replace the W111/112 “Fintail” saloons, the W108 and 109 were enormously popular luxury saloons, built to the kind of exacting standards that made Mercedes-Benz build quality so legendary.
The W108 designation was given to the standard length chassis, while W109 indicated the long wheelbase version.
Owned by the current keeper since 2016, this lovely luxury saloon was first registered in the UK when new in January 1971. The paperwork indicates that at some point the car may have spent a short time overseas, but it also shows that the car has definitely been UK based since 2001.
During the current keeper’s ownership, the car has undergone significant restoration including a full engine rebuild by Westgate Classics (of Car SOS fame) and a bare metal respray. It’s been kept in a heated garage and maintained regardless of expense.
The only reason the owner is now putting it up for sale is that they find they’re not using the car as much as it deserves to be used (It’s only covered just over 100 miles since the engine rebuild).
Despite the fact that the car hasn’t been used much and as a historic vehicle is tax and MOT exempt, the owner has kept up the yearly MOT. The current MOT runs to January 2023, and a large number of previous MOT certificates are present in the file.
As well as the original handbook, which is in excellent condition, the paperwork file contains a large number of servicing and maintenance receipts going back many years. These confirm that many thousands of pounds have been spent on the car over the last 20 years, with more than £10,000 being spent by the current owner to restore the car to its present condition. There is also a HPI report in the file, which was carried out by the present owner in 2016 and shows the vehicle was clear of any issues. All of this should give any bidders real confidence in the quality of the maintenance carried out on this car, and the fact that any problems have been dealt with quickly and correctly.
Of course, the current V5 as well as an older V5 are present. The owner is not selling the private registration (MBZ112) with the vehicle, but is willing to negotiate the sale of the registration as a separate item.
The file also contains “in progress” photos from both the engine rebuild at Westgate Classics and the respray at Greens, which goes to show just how extensive the work carried out was.
Benefitting from a full interior retrim by ‘Sign It Upholstery’ in 2013, the interior is in very good condition. Originally the seats were trimmed in blue, but were changed to a cream / light tan, with the door cards sprayed to match. The deep blue loop carpet was purchased and installed in 2013 too.
Westgate Classics were commissioned by the current owner to install a more modern stereo system into the glovebox, maintaining the original look of the dashboard and preserving the original radio. All of the interior trim is in good condition, as are the dials and other controls. Some parts have been renewed and refreshed over the years, as evidenced by the paperwork file, but an effort has clearly been made to preserve as many of the original components as possible. So there is some age-related wear and tear to areas of the interior trim, but nothing that could not be described as charming patina.
One of the vehicle’s most unusual and charming aspects is that it features bench seats and a column-mounted manual gearshift. Both quite rare features to see in a right-hand drive vehicle. The fact that this is the 280S means that it has manual windows and a standard heater, which is actually an advantage in a classic car as there’s far less complication and no antique electrical systems to worry about.
The boot area is in good condition, featuring a full size spare and a rubber floor liner. Under the liner, you can see that the boot floor is very original and solid, with no evidence of crash damage that we could discern. There are some age related marks and scratches, but nothing that should concern any potential buyers.
Overall the interior is in very good condition, benefits from some thoughtful and tasteful upgrades and certainly wears its age very well.
The car’s show-stopping feature is the quality of the exterior. Having been treated to a bare metal respray by Greens of Birmingham in May 2019, including having new metal put into the bottoms of the doors and anywhere else where corrosion was found, the light blue finish of the paintwork really does look incredible and suits the car perfectly.
Understated and elegant, the paintwork is accompanied by metal brightwork that is in very good condition. There is some age-related wear evident, as should be expected, but much of the exterior brightwork has been refreshed and replaced over the years, so overall the bodywork is in excellent condition. Obviously, the fact that the car has been kept in a heated garage since the respray, and has covered fewer than 100 miles in that time, explains why the finish is so good.
Underneath, the floorpan and chassis elements all look to be in very good condition, everything looks very tidy and solid, with only small amounts of surface corrosion evident. In addition to the bodywork, the current owner had the tyres painted by Mr Whitewalls in 2019 to create the period-correct white wall tyre look.
The 280S benefits from Mercedes-Benz sonorous 2,778cc 6cyl petrol engine, mated to a four-speed manual column shift gearbox. This model of W108 also runs a conventional springs-and-shocks suspension setup, instead of the W109s air suspension. So it’s a much more affordable and less complex car to maintain and live with on a day-to-day basis.
Under the bonnet, the engine bay is in original, unrestored condition while the classic M130 straight-six engine was rebuilt by Westgate Classics in 2017 and runs very well. It’s covered just over 100 miles since the rebuild, so is basically not even run-in yet. They also tidied up some of the wiring, especially in the boot area, and did some work on the vehicle’s internal and external trim.
We’re assured by the owner that the car drives very well and everything works as it should. It certainly fired up and ran very well when we saw it, and drove, stopped and steering as expected, with no untoward noises or motion. It seems clear the car has been mechanically maintained regardless of cost, and to a very high standard.
From the file of paperwork, we were able to discern that the following mechanical work has been carried out over the last few years:
Sept 2021 - 4 wheel laser alignment
Aug 2021 - full service and new NSF steering arm link
2018 - new Bosch battery
2017 - engine rebuild by Westgate Classics
89,393 miles - brake discs and pads replaced front and rear
89,310 miles - new fuel pump, carburetor overhaul, new rear springs and kingpin repair
2015 - new starter motor
2014 - new front hub bearings, OSR drive shaft, OSR trailing arm, rear brake calipers serviced
The W108/109 series has long been regarded as one of the greatest saloons to come out of Stuttgart. And when you consider that Mercedes-Benz have a history of making the world’s best luxury saloons, that really is saying something. They’re incredibly well designed and superbly built machines, as shown by this fine example.
Everything about this car scream quality – from the immaculate paintwork to the classic light tan leather interior and wooden dash combo, it’s the kind of elegant, over-engineered car that no-one makes anymore. Whether you want a smart daily classic that will retain value, or even increase in value, or something special to store away and bring out for the occasional show or special weekend, this W108 makes a great argument for being all the classic car you ever need.
Both the current owner and previous owners have spent many thousands ensuring the car has been maintained in top condition, and it really has benefitted from being kept in a heated garage. The bodywork is in extremely good condition and shows off Paul Bracq’s beautifully proportioned and detailed design to its very best.
We love the fact that this has a manual gearbox with manual windows, standard heater and standard suspension too – it makes it an appealing classic for both owners that likes to do their own maintenance and those that prefer to send it to professionals. In either case, it’s a relatively simple and wallet-friendly car to work on, certainly when compared to the more complex W109.
Yes, it’s a thing of beauty and is very well built, but it’s also really rather practical too. From the bench seats and spacious, airy cabin, to the capacious boot and relatively simple but incredibly reliable drivetrain, everything about the car would make it a joy to live with. And the good thing with old Mercs is that everyone loves them. They’re a timeless design that elicits thumbs up, smiles and conversations wherever you go. Few classic marques are as universally loved, and it’s very easy to see why.
They’re not making any more of these, and every year there are fewer W108s on the road. If you’ve always fancied one of these, we’re not sure you’re going to find a better one any time soon. Why not treat yourself to a beautiful slice of classic Stuttgart luxury? You’ll be just in time for the 2022 classic car show season…
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
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1971 Mercedes-Benz 280S
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