Description
The 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Saloon is part of the W108/ W109 series, a line of luxury sedans produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1965 and 1972 (with some 1973 models still available in various markets). The 280SE represents a pinnacle of German engineering and luxury of its era, known for its elegance, build quality, and refined driving experience. The 280SE model is powered by a 2. 8-liter inline-6 engine (M130), which produces about 158 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. It was available with either a 4-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission, this one being a highly desirable automatic model.
Here we have a stunning example, presented in its original "Mittelblau" over an ivory MB Tex interior. This is a very rare high spec example with options such as, 4 electric windows, electric sunroof and factory Behr air conditioning. This particular car was almost double the original list price after the original owner had specced it with these options. As shown by the pictures, this is an exceptional example of a 280se, with the interior showing very minimal wear for a 51 year old car. Structurally this car is also in very good shape, with no welding.
This matching numbers straight six example was originally owned by Hernn Franz Ballmann, who had seen an article in the June 1970 edition of Autocar and on the strength of this placed an order with the factory for this car on June 15th 1970, the article and original order form which includes Diplomatic Discount are included in the history folder together with confirmation of delivery date, dated April 15th 1971. This Right Hand Drive car and Hernn Ballmann subsequently arrive in the UK during 1973 and as was the way DVLA issued the car with a 1973 registration number. This highly appointed example would have cost Hernn Ballmann the approximate value of a house in 1971.
The history folder also contains Data Cards, a good quantity of previous MOT test certificates along with some invoices which leads us to believe the car had a recommissioning during 2006/ 2007 by another Mr W Ballmann who remained the owner until 2007 when the car changed hands to the third recorded owner who kept the car until 2018. This particular car has clearly been loved and cared for since the day it was ordered new, with it being kept for 30+ years and then being passed down to a family member and then being owned for 10 years by the previous owner.
Since the car has been in my ownership, it has been regularly maintained throughout the years and dry stored away with the rest of my collection of cars. I have also recently had the fuel lines replaced. The car drives beautifully like a modern car due to its power steering and automatic gearbox which allows it to cruise effortlessly even at high motorway speeds.
