Highlights

One of only 150 UK RHD ever made
Comprehensive ‘no expense spared’ service records
Rare floor mounted automatic
Huge amount of history in box file
Sympathetically refurbished with £18,000 recently spent
Only 96,000 miles covered since 1968
Legendary M130 engine starts on the button
V5 shows only 3 owners from new
Tax, MOT and Ulez exempt
Tailored car cover and newly made OE piped boot mat are included in the sale

The Appeal

The Paul Bracq designed W111 280SE pillarless coupes were the last of the handmade cars made by Mercedes-Benz. Some would say they were the most beautiful and they are rare too, with only 3,700 coupes were ever made. Of this small number only 150 were UK RHD examples and even fewer had the desirable automatic transmission mounted on the floor.

Introduced in 1967, the 280SE was a beautifully exotic upgrade to the already very stylish W111 range. The preceding 300 version with its older engine and over-complex air suspension gave way to the 220 and 250 versions, which were known to be slightly under powered. The later 3.5 unfortunately shed the iconic oversize grill for a flattened version in the name of modernity.

All of this leaves us with the 280SE, the sweet spot in the range, a high radiator model with that imposing front grill, legendary M130 straight six engine and silky smooth automatic transmission. To say these are rare is an understatement. There are probably only a handful left on the road. Most are hidden away in collections or kept as appreciating assets. This is quite sad because they are such an accomplished driver’s car, beautifully poised with a build quality that cannot be matched.

This rather special low mileage, low owner 280SE is one of those more desirable high radiator cars having rolled off the production line in 1968. Finished in Midnight Blue 904 with contrasting light grey hide, it has real road presence. It has recently been subject to some sympathetic restoration inside, outside and mechanically.

The vendor, an ardent Mercedes collector, has recently spent over £18,000 making sure what was already a great car stays at the right authentic standard. The work has been done not just for show, but for driving too. Indeed, even though it is a historic vehicle it has just passed its MOT without a single advisory. In the seller’s three-hour photo shoot we learnt what a serene experience driving this beautiful machine is.

Condition, coupled with authenticity, is everything with W111 and this particular coupe has got it all. It has very low keepers, so it has not come to market often, a huge history file, original manuals including the stamped service book, wonderfully straight bodywork, fully sorted mechanicals, all this presented in the very best colour scheme. A time warp example like this is ideal for the collector, enthusiast, investor or indeed a combination of the three. If you have been searching for an exceptional classic Mercedes-Benz.. look no further, this is the one to bid on and hopefully win.

The vendor writes:

“I’ve always considered The W111 coupe as a genuine masterpiece of automotive design. Combining glamour and engineering integrity like no other car I’ve ever seen. For classic motoring in style and comfort, there’s little to match it.

“Condition is everything and the fact this is not an over restored example made me fall in love with it even more! There’s very little to fault on this one, I believe it’s probably the most authentic and unmolested example available in the market today. It has character in spades, that is why I've recently spent £18000 making sure it was well & truly up to standard. Mechanically it is as good as it gets, a dream to drive. If I hadn’t just acquired a Pagoda needing a full restoration I would not be parting with this beautiful coupe. If you’ve always wanted to treat yourself to a classic Mercedes-Benz, value condition, authenticity and rarity in your investments, then look no further, I’m sure you’ve found the one to buy.”

The History and Paperwork

Garaged through its lifetime
Only three owners from new
£18000 recently spent to maintain its high standard
Complete service history with invoices from 1971 to present day
New advisory free MOT until 2026
Full clear VDI/HPI check
Original owner’s manual, service book, directory

Delivered new in March 1968 by Northridge Mercedes-Benz main dealers in Derby, this wonderful coupe has only ever had three keepers. With only 96,000 miles on the clock this W111 has the feel of something very special about it.

When the vendor acquired the car, he understood that it had been in long-term ownership and dry stored throughout its life. Only used on dry days, the fabulous condition of the car, both inside and out, would certainly back up that assertion. The service history is comprehensive, proven with invoices and dealer stamps. Indeed the oldest invoice dates from 1971 by Waterloo Garage in London. A ‘no expense spared’ 37 services have been carried out over the car’s lifetime and on average it has only been driven 1,700 miles per annum.

The vendor has ensured the car has been brought back up to a wonderful, truly authentic standard, with the last invoice showing an expenditure of £18,000.

The original Mercedes bookholder contains all the owner user manuals, dealer directory booklet, Bosch booklet, as well as the original stamped service book. Add to this historic MOT certificates, tax discs, service invoices, parts receipts, correspondence from Mercedes-Benz dated 1973, historic V5s, original wheel jack, toolkit and even the original spare wheel guide card are all present. This is proof, if any were needed, of the car’s impeccable originality. A reassuring history like this only adds to the car’s desirability and long term investment potential.

The Condition

Opulent Light Grey factory leather recently connolised
All new interior carpeting to OE standards
Original Zabrano wood restored by Silvercrest
Original Becker Europa TR radio
Finished in stunning Midnight Blue (904) paintwork
Original chrome and brightwork
Totally solid and straight bodywork
Totally unmolested and as it left the factory

It is not often one comes across a 55-year-old interior which looks no more than a few years old. This car really has been looked after extremely well and it shows in its condition. The leather of the seats, finished in stunning Light Grey, feels to us as supple as it must have been when new. The rear seats look to have never been used and the vendor has gone to the expense of sympathetically Connolising the entire interior and retrimming the rear parcel shelf in matching leather, to remove some unsightly speaker holes. He states that, after all, originality is essential in these iconic coupes.

The fitted carpets are all new, sourced from Germany, piped as per OE specification. The dash presents as it should with no sun cracking. The Zebrano wood haves recently been re-veneered by Silver Crest at great expense. Doors and door cards are superb. The luxurious wood retains a beautifully deep shine and its condition, like that of the whole interior, is hard to fault. As far as we can tell all the instruments and electrics work as they should, the wonderful analogue dashboard clock does seem to have a life of its own working when it wants to, a minor detail!.

The vendor has an invoice showing the refurbishment and fitment of the car’s original Becker Europa TR dating from 1968. A new OEM speaker was also fitted in the dash aperture. The original electric aerial has been serviced. Playing the Becker radio in the car is literally like going back to a bygone age. Attention to detail like this is very important with these rare cars.

After condition, originality is key. Even the boot, which could be forgiven for being slightly more used, is very clean and solid. The original cloth tool roll and jack brace are all present as is the original full-size spare wheel with refreshed hubcap.

Nestling into this luxurious interior and hearing the solid clunk of the door closing is an experience in itself. It is an elegant and incredibly luxurious place to be, evocative of a more glamorous age.

Finished in one of Mercedes-Benz’s most desirable colours, Midnight Blue (904), the paintwork gleams in the sunlight and has a deep finish to it that really does show off the elegant lines of this coupe. Not appearing over-restored, the body still has some of the original factory paint and this lends an authenticity that over restoring tends to take away. There are a few minor touch-ups on the bonnet, which appears to be original paintwork. This patina does not really detract and we are being picky.

Shut lines are flush and the body is reported to be straight as an arrow. The vendor had the rear quarters painted rather than touched up to remove the blemishes left by incorrect chrome wheelarch trims, which he had removed. The glass on the car is in excellent condition. There is a scratch to the drivers side window but, again, it does not really detract and is the car’s original glass so was not changed.

The good news continues across the chrome-work, which is very brightly presented.. There is some patina evident here. The rear bumper has a few minor impressions, which have been left to preserve the original metalwork because they do not overly detract.

The headlight lenses are clean and fracture-free. The same is true of the chrome wing mirrors which are new and OE. The original steel wheels are also in excellent condition with colour coded hubcaps and the matching tyres all round are brand new. Underneath, the car appears to have benefited from being under sealed and is clean and proper - we can't discern any signs of corrosion or reason for concern there.

The Mechanics

Starts on the button, engine runs like a dream
Just fully serviced
Silky smooth automatic gearbox
Power steering is light but responsive
New tyres all round
Overhauled brakes
New exhaust
Brand new MOT with no advisories

The 2.8 straight six M130 is a marvel of Mercedes engineering, torquey and powerful but also ever so quiet and relaxing to use. It fires up on command and, with its automatic gearbox, pulls away with absolutely no effort.

This car has power steering, of course, and strong brakes. Frankly, we doubt there’s a more agreeable car to drive. This well-maintained example has been serviced regularly throughout its life and has received its share of expenditure as and when necessary. This has kept it in such fine condition.

One of the few upgrades from factory specification is the prudent and wise replacement of the rear axle pneumatic. The original unit can leak so the replacement coil spring set up offers a more comfort and durable set up. There is a new middle exhaust section with OEM chrome tips. These should last the car’s lifetime and avoid later expenditure. Needless to say the car also comes with all its spare keys.

The whole engine bay is wonderfully clean. New high-performance battery aside, it must look like it did when new. Even the sound deadening pad in the bonnet itself has been renewed.

During the 3 hour photo shoot the car started on the button and was moved back and forth with no issues at all.

A recent full service using the correct mineral oil and new, advisory free, MOT are reassuring. They indicate how good this car is mechanically.

The car was taken to Paul Sumner Classics in Chichester. Whilst there the fuel pump, rear brakes, distributor and rear axle pneumatic were all renewed and sorted. The vendor informs us that Paul is an authority on these cars and perhaps the most respected classic Mercedes specialist in the country. This really is a car to drive and not just look at, it is so mechanically sound and sorted that not to do so would be a shame.

A recent total bill for £18,000 to make the car as tip top as possible is proof indeed of how pampered this vehicle is.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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