Highlights
- Preserved and very original Aqua Blue W114 coupe
- Desirable 182bhp 2.8L fuel injected model with 4spd auto
- Only five keepers and same family owned since the 1980s
- Recently recommissioned after 25 years in storage
- £2,200 in 2025 on brakes, coolant system, fuel system and undersealing
- Original book pack and service book with rip-out tags still intact
- Voluntary MOT valid to May 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
The first keeper of this well-preserved W114 used it for trips to the seaside so his choice of attractive Aqua Blue was entirely appropriate. In the intervening 53 years, it has been carefully used and stored and remains highly original, including the lovely blue leather cabin. As a 280CE it is the one to have, fitted with the 182bhp M110 straight six mated to a 4spd auto box. It’s a perfect cruising spec, which is what these long-legged four-seaters with their big comfy seats were designed for.
The current keeper acquired this car for his father in 1986, and it’s remained in the family ever since. It was placed into storage in 2000 and then recommissioned in 2025 with over £2,200 of work. Attention was paid to the coolant, braking and fuel systems, plus paint rectification and undersealing. The sense of a solid, very usable W114 is reinforced by a useful voluntary MOT valid to May 2026 with no advisories.
Some classics are stylish but impractical. Not so this 280CE - you get the handsome Bracq lines plus spacious cabin, big boot and a drivetrain that suits a modern classic. With its interesting history and recent work, it represents a great buy.
The vendor says:
“This stunning example has been in the same family since the 1980's, and has recently been through a light recommissioning after spending the last 25 years in storage.
“A true 'survivor' car, this CE 280 Coupe presents in lovely condition. Having been stored for a large majority of its life the paintwork is largely original and stands in great condition for its age. Both the interior and exterior present with charming patina.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered 10th August 1973 in the United Kingdom
- Five registered keepers
- Current keeper since February 2001
- Same family owned since 1986 with summary of history below
- Various invoices and receipts accumulated over the years
- Some spares included as shown
- Original radio included
- V5C
- Service book and handbooks as shown
- 06/25 invoice for brake, coolant, fuel system, undersealing and paint repairs
June 2025 light recommissioning work:
- New battery
- New fuel pipe from tank
- New coolant hoses and clips
- Fresh antifreeze
- Remove spark plugs and clean out intake system
- Strip and free off handbrake linkage
- Strip and free off rear brakes
- Weld small area of O/S/R inner sill
- Underseal underside
- Full valet
History:
- 17/04/89 - 75,172 miles - The Snowdon Motor Co. LTD Mercedes-Benz
- 08/03/88 - 67,300 miles - Dunn's Motors Mercedes-Benz (Exeter) LTD
- 13/11/86 - 61,118 miles - H.A. Fox (Torquay) LTD
- 06/06/84 - 55,228 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 06/06/83 - 54,855 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 15/06/81 - 50,119 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 01/03/80 - 45,015 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 23/11/78 - 40,191 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 04/07/78 - 37,630 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 15/02/78 - 34,739 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 27/07/77 - 29,777 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 02/02/77 - 25,324 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 03/06/76 - 20,095 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 25/09/75 - 15,273 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 12/03/75 - 11,336 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 04/10/74 - 8,158 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 10/09/73 - 801 miles - Central Garage LTD, Brixham
- 10/08/73 - First registered
The vendor says:
“Originally purchased to chauffeur its owner around the local seafront, the car was subsequently purchased by my client as a present for his father in 1986.
“Having then lived its life in the same immediate family until the passing of my clients father in 2000, it was put into long term storage for the next 25 years.
“In June of 2025 the car was removed from storage and subject to a light recommissioning.”
The Condition
- Attractive Aqua Blue light blue paintwork in good condition for age and mileage
- Recent minor paint rectification work prior to sale
- Some light marks to note to paintwork shown in photos such as door edge chips
- Bodywork presents well with good panel fit and well-kept panel edges
- Small areas of bubbling such as the offside rear arch and C pillar as shown
- Vendor advises car has only minor marks and age-appropriate paint imperfections
- Steel wheels with body colour chrome hub caps showing light scuffs
- Steel spare wheel with tool kit as shown
- Chromework in good order with some tarnish to note to some fittings
- Blue leather four-seat interior with matching blue factory carpets
- Leather in good order with light age typical of its originality
- Carpets present well with wear to note to the driver’s footwell trim
- Veneers to the dashboard in good order
- Door cards and headlining present well in photos
- Slight discolouration to the centre console and some cracks to the dashboard top near the vent
- Fitted with a 1980s Pioneer radio cassette with the original included with the car
The Mechanics
- 2,778cc M110 6cl 182bhp fuel injected engine
- Four-speed automatic transmission
- Recent £2,2000 recommissioning including fuel, coolant and brake systems
- Vendor reports the engine starts and runs very well, and the gearbox shifts smoothly
- Only drive a short distance since completion of recommissioning; recently drove 6 miles and reported driving very well
- Current MOT with no advisories
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