Description
Wonderful 3. 5 V8 280SE automatic (W108).
4x electric windows and electric sunroof, all working. In fact everything works just as it should save for the clock and light behind the dials. The owner before me purchased the car in 2007 and it seems didn't drive it at all, it had been repainted in the original colour prior to his purchase. It was parked in dry storage until 2015 when it had a full top end rebuild. Since then it has had a brake overhaul (rebuilt calipers and new master cylinder), fuel pump, thermostat, new exhaust, four new Michelin MXVs and various service parts. It was a part of a standing collection until my purchase.
There is some very slight bubbling with one tiny area of breakout rust on the edge of the sunroof. The chrome has a nice patina. The interior smells great but there is creasing and light cracking as you would expect from a car that lived in France for most of its life. The dashboard is in good condition, carpets are very good. There are also some small "through cracks" in the upholstery, not tears, but it absolutely doesn't detract. Headlining is nice and tight. Underneath it is very solid as you would hope. I recently had an MOT check-over and the only points raised were that the fog light is on the wrong side (it's French!) and that there was a very small bulge on one of the brake hoses. I subsequently couldn't find it but mention it in the interest of full disclosure. I bought this beautiful car last summer and have done a little over 3200 kilometres. It has never failed to start or to put a huge smile on my face and on those of people who see it. I believe there are less than 15 '71 V8 280s left on UK roads. I had expected to spend money on it like all classic cars but quite honestly all I have had to do is fill it with decent petrol and replaced the jack which was of the wrong type, not that I have used it. I was a little nervous about a V8 but the economy if you are interested in such things is practically the same as 2. 8 280s, the fabulous V8 rumble is completely worth it. Last year I did one journey of 200+ miles without a break and it never missed a beat. It's just great and I'll be very sad to see it go.
