Introduced in 1969, the 280SE 3.5 was the final iteration of the W111, and the first post-war car by Mercedes-Benz to exceed a 3.0L engine spec, with the brand new M116 - an engine that remained in production for over twenty years. These Paul Bracq-designed motors were subtle, sophisticated and stylish, with plenty of character and a level of luxury that turned plenty of heads. 

It was the result of the W111's natural development; a refined and stylish completion of a much-loved model, and one that influenced just about everything that followed - to this day, these stylish coupes are a highly clamoured-for classic, and deserve every bit of the praise they carry.

This example is in excellent condition and retains its original colour scheme, leather, carpets and chrome.

MEF 749 J was ordered new by George A. Hinks of George Hinks & Co, insurance brokers of Hull. The new car was finished in Mercedes Metallic Sand Beige with an interior trimmed in black leather. The car was originally registered YKH 162J on the 26th May 1971 and delivered the following day.

According to the original buff logbook (in the history file) the car was sold to a second owner on the 11th October 1974, a garage workshop and car-sales operation in East Yorkshire. The car was registered with the private number AT 20 at this time. A third owner acquired the car in June 1982, before selling it to the previous owner on the 7th August 1989 who owned the car for the next 34 years. Initially the Mercedes was used regularly but after a few years it joined his extensive collection of classic cars and was maintained in his own workshops by his own full-time mechanic. The vendor bought the car earlier this year, but he owns other cars, has just bought another and with storage space at a premium he has decided to sell this one. 

Recorded service history:
01/06/1971, service, Westway Garage (Triangle Motor Company), Hull, 442 miles
19/06/1972, service, Westway Garage (triangle Motor Company), Hull, 11,786 miles
25/01/1973, maintenance, 18,888 miles
27/04/1973, service, Westway Garage (Triangle Motor Company), Hull, 20,564 miles
26/05/1982, MOT, 56,776 miles
01/07/1982, service, 56,922 miles
20/05/1983, MOT, 57,621 miles
03/05/1984, service, 58,720 miles
18/05/1984, MOT, 58,773 miles
20/05/1985, MOT, 60,225 miles
29/05/1986, service, 61,578 miles
06/06/1986, MOT, 61,652 miles
06/04/1988, service, 62,988 miles
06/06/2023, MOT, 63,020 miles
06/08/1990, MOT, 65,404 miles
18/09/1990, MOT, 81,859 miles
27/06/1991, maintenance, Haileybury Motor Works, 84,977 miles
16/07/1991, maintenance, Haileybury Motor Works, 85,385 miles
20/09/1991, MOT, 89,036 miles
06/12/1991, maintenance, Haileybury Motor Works, 92,904 miles
10/05/1993, maintenance, Haileybury Motor Works, 93,719 miles
20/05/1993, MOT, 93,719 miles09/10/1995, MOT, 95,223 miles
27/06/1997, MOT, 97,016 miles30/07/1998, MOT, 99,478 miles
29/11/1999, MOT, 00,023 miles25/08/2000, MOT, 00101 miles
18/07/2012, MOT, 00,456 miles08/01/2016, MOT, 01,273 miles
07/06/2023, maintenance, Roger Edwards (Motors) 01,652 miles

The interior here is all beautifully original and in remarkable condition for its age, and lives up to the model’s reputation for luxury and refinement. The only two evident flaws are that the stitching on the back of the front passenger seat is coming apart, and the heel pad in the driver’s footwell has worn through. 

Period seatbelts, radio and 8-track stereo unit are fitted and the original Mercedes-Benz owner’s handbook pouch is present; this contains manuals and a stamped service book. Also present is a set of period 8-track music cartridges. The vendor reports that the radio and 8-track player work well but says that the dashboard clock is ‘intermittent’; on the day of our photo shoot the clock was misted up. 

Paul Bracq’s elegant lines have undoubtedly aged well – it’s difficult to believe that this stylish design is approaching sixty years old. 

The car looks fantastic from every angle. The paint is the original colour of Mercedes Sand Beige metallic and the vendor believes it was repainted a few years ago, with the exception of the roof. (The under-bonnet area was also repainted the original body colour.)

Consequently, the paintwork looks fabulous, with no visible blemishes or corrosion. The wheels show no evidence of kerb damage or corrosion, while the badges and brightwork are all very good, with only some minor pitting on the chrome window surrounds and door handles.   

This car has just had £3,500 of mechanical work completed at classic Mercedes specialists Roger Edwards (Motors). Work included a full inspection, oil- and filter service, replacement fuel-injection load sensor, new injector seals, new throttle balls, all four shock absorbers replaced, new spark plugs, new HT leads and new gear-shift bush. The invoice for this is in the history file.

The car was previously serviced by Mercedes specialists Roger Edwards and Haileybury Motor Works, with associated invoices in the file, until the former owner employed his own mechanic who maintained his cars in his own extensive workshops alongside his vintage Bugattis. A new genuine Mercedes-Benz fuel tank was installed in June 2012.

The vendor reports that the car runs and drives beautifully with no known faults, and this is backed up by the evidence of the drive between our two photo locations, during which the car purred along.

The 280 SE 3.5 is renowned as the best iteration of the W111, combining performance with refinement and elegance. This one is in remarkably unmolested condition, it looks fantastic inside and out and positively oozes originality. 

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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