Highlights

Lots of recent work across mechanicals and trim
Complete and presentable straight six rarity
Practical and very stylish four seat coupe
Reported to run beautifully being smooth, powerful and reliable
One of the last of the hand-built Mercedes models
Smart silver over burgundy colour scheme
Current keeper for over 20 years
Ready-to-drive classic with scope to make even better
Classic pillarless coupe design with timeless lines

The Appeal

The W111 coupe is a masterclass of design and engineering. With its long, low lines and neat details like the stack headlights it somehow manages to have both considerable presence and yet be understated in a particularly Mercedes-Benz sort of way.

These cars remain popular 50+ years after they left the factory because of that style, the beautifully detailed interiors, the four-seat practicality and the effortlessness that comes with the M130 big straight six and a set of big, comfy seats.

The current keeper bought the car over 20 years ago and has treated it well. There is an extensive list of work from the last five years, which you can read in detail below. It covers attention to the brakes, suspension and fuel system. The wood has been re-veneered and the front seats retrimmed. It is in usable, tidy condition with a gentle patina to the lovely interior. There is scope for the buyer to restore it or, since it runs and drives, use it as you improve it.

The 280SE is the long-legged GT that looks just at home tooling around Soho, Chelsea and Knightsbridge. Here is a chance to make your mark on one of these evocative cars.

The vendor says:

"A rare opportunity to own a beautifully preserved example of Mercedes-Benz’s iconic W111 series: this 1969 280 SE Coupe combines classic styling, robust engineering, and a rich ownership history.

"1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe – Silver Elegance, Red Leather Luxury."

The History and Paperwork

First registered 1969
Current keeper for over 20 years
Car has been in storage for 8 of those years whilst owner was abroad
Currently located in Republic of Ireland
Some spares included as shown
41,000 kms mileage

Key details provided by seller:

Model Year: 1969
Left-Hand Drive
Mileage: 41,000 km
Ownership: 25 years with current owner
Exterior Color: Silver
Interior: Red leather
Transmission: Automatic
Engine: Inline 6-cylinder, Bosch fuel injection

The vendor states that the car has been lovingly maintained and thoughtfully restored according to seller. He says "it has received extensive attention to preserve its beauty and performance."

Work in last five years includes:

Wood dashboard professionally re veneered
New stainless steel bumpers (front & rear)
New wipers and brake calipers
Front seats reupholstered in red leather
Stainless steel exhaust system
New fuel line and fuel tank sender unit
Rear axle mounting and compensator spring kit installed
New electronic distributor and battery
New tyres all around
Upgraded 3-point seat belts (front & rear)
Included Spares
Original chrome bumpers (require rechroming)
Rear suspension springs

For transparency the vendor has advised the following points:

Paintwork: Some areas require attention to bring the car to mint condition — visible in photos
Electric Windows: Driver’s door control panel needs a new on/off switch; passenger side switch also needs replacement
Passenger Door Bin: Requires repair — condition visible in photos

The Condition

Smart silver metallic paintwork in fair condition with some aging to note in photos
This includes small chips and marks to panels as shown
There are also areas of blistering and micro blistering to note in photos
These include wing tops, above headlights and to doors
Roof is presentable with some corrosion to leading edge of sunroof panel as shown
Bodywork is straight and presentable with some localised deterioration and repairs to note
The rear wing to driver’s side has repairs to arch as shown
The rear arch on the other side also shows some deterioration
Underside of car shown in photos for buyers to check
Chromework in good order with recently replaced front and rear bumpers
Chrome trim to arches shows good condition and some light dents
Other chromework in good order with some aging due to originality
Sits on steel wheels with chrome hub caps and Toyo tyres showing good condition
Screen rubbers show some deterioration is due to originality
Glasswork appears to be in good order with no reported damage
Smart and apparently very original burgundy leather interior in fair condition
Front seats recently retrimmed and wood veneers refurbished as detailed above
There is some aging inside to certain areas but others present very well
Four seats with seatbelts to front and rear and leather in good, lightly aged order
Door cards are in variable condition with driver’s side lightly worn and some extra wear to passenger side
Dashboard, dials and switchgear in good order with light aging due to originality
Veneers to dash top and centre of dash in good general condition
Retains original features such as cream Bakelite wheel and Becker Europa radio
Headlining in good condition as shown with light marks due to originality
Specification includes four electric windows to deliver pillarless profile
Fitted with a USB port
Driver's side bank of window switches only operate driver's window
We understand that the other windows work correctly from the other window switches
No other reported lighting, electrical or switchgear malfunctions
We have no reports of dashboard warning lights

The Mechanics

2,778cc M130 straight six 160bhp engine
4spd automatic gearbox
Current keeper for over 20 years
Lots of recent maintenance detailed above
Vendor tells us that the car 'drives and runs beautifully'
We have no reports of running or driving issues

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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