1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 1 of 125)
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1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 1 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 2 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 3 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 4 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 5 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 6 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 7 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 8 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 9 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 10 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 11 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 12 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 13 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 14 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 15 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 16 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 17 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 18 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 19 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 20 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 21 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 22 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 23 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 24 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 25 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 26 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 27 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 28 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 29 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 30 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 31 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 32 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 33 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 34 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 35 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 36 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 37 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 38 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 39 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 40 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 41 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 42 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 43 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 44 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 45 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 46 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 47 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 48 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 49 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 50 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 51 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 52 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 53 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 54 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 55 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 56 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 57 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 58 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 59 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 60 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 61 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 62 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 63 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 64 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 65 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 66 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 67 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 68 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 69 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 70 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 71 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 72 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 73 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 74 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 75 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 76 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 77 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 78 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 79 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 80 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 81 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 82 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 83 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 84 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 85 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 86 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 87 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 88 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 89 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 90 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 91 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 92 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 93 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 94 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 95 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 96 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 97 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 98 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 99 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 100 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 101 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 102 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 103 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 104 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 105 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 106 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 107 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 108 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 109 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 110 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 111 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 112 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 113 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 114 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 115 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 116 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 117 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 118 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 119 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 120 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 121 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 122 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 123 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 124 of 125)
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe For Sale (picture 125 of 125)
Winning bid
€87,000

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 'Low Grille' Coupe

Highlights

  • Extremely rare example with the rarely seen low grille
  • One of the last 300 cars built
  • Complete restoration costing €62,000
  • Supplied with appraisal documentation
  • Serial numbers are marked as matching

The plus

The W111 was getting old. That was the consensus at Mercedes-Benz headquarters in 1969. It had been almost a decade since the car's introduction, and it was starting to look decidedly old-school, which was a shame - it was one of the last hand-built Mercedes-Benzes, and these were absolutely sumptuous. It really did feel like a swansong for this old car - and with a little subtle tweaking (including a wider, lower grille), it looked a little more modern.

Of course, considering Mercedes-Benz's high-end engineering - the German brand's technicians didn't stop there. They also prepared the car to house their first V8 engine, the 3.5-litre M116. For many luxury car owners in Europe, it was their first taste of American-style power, and it was the biggest post-war engine the company built.

Today, it's truly the W111 you can only dream about. All the boxes are ticked, from the elegant old-school silhouette and luxurious cabin to the robust power under the bonnet. As a result, we expect this car to generate a lot of well-deserved interest.

Having undergone a complete restoration, costing in excess of €62,000, this impressive example boasts an evocative colour scheme, an engine with matching numbers and plenty of documentation. This could well be one of the most remarkable W111s we've ever had at Car & Classic.
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History and Documentation

  • Registered 1971
  • Third registered owner
  • Complete restoration in January 2023 at a cost of €62,000
  • No modifications
  • Valuation available
  • Serial numbers are marked as matching
  • MOT expired on 1 March 2025
  • Odometer reading of 21,374 km 

Condition

  • Looks good, with minimal mileage after restoration
  • The seller informs us that it is like new with no notable defects
  • We see no scratches, marks or corrosion
  • The body panels are straight with no dents or dings
  • The shiny parts contrast well
  • The contrasting navy blue vinyl roof is very well maintained
  • Contrasting colour wheels look great
  • The underside is clean and free from any significant wear and tear
  • The navy blue interior is very well presented
  • We are told that it is entirely original, which is reflected in the car's low mileage
  • No rips or tears in the upholstery
  • The dashboard is clean and well presented
  • All instruments are clear and legible
  • The carpets and headlining have been renewed

Powertrain

  • 3.5-litre M116 V8 engine
  • 5-speed automatic transmission
  • Engine compartment in good condition
  • No mechanical problems reported to us
  • Completely overhauled in 2023, including engine, transmission and axles
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BEFORE BUYING
This sale is subject to Car & Classic's 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 that consumer rights arising from European consumer protection legislation do not apply. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic's terms and conditions.
✓ We ask that a non-refundable fee is paid if you are the lucky winner of the auction or if your bid is accepted. Please refer to our FAQs and terms and conditions for specific fees.
✓ This vehicle is "sold as is", on an "as is, where is" basis and without warranty. Photographs and descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and it is customary to carry out a full vehicle inspection prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final offer or tender price, as specified in the advert.
✓ We want the transaction to go as smoothly as you do, which is why UK-registered cars and motorbikes offered for sale on Car & Classic are HPI checked to ensure they have no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and are not financially pledged, allowing you to bid with confidence.
We also check whether vehicles are registered as written off as part of a total loss at the time the advert is placed on Car & Classic and provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) to help you. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the status of the vehicle and it is always worth carrying out a full vehicle history check before making an offer on it.
Buyers are responsible for the collection or delivery of the vehicle. Importing vehicles may incur additional customs duties and import taxes. If you wish, we can recommend a third party transport company who can assist you. For more details and to speak to the team, email auctions@carandclassic.com.
Winning bid
€87,000
Sold

Auction Details

  • Year1971
  • MakeMercedes
  • Model280
  • ColourWhite
  • Odometer21,374 Kilometres
  • Engine size3500cc
  • TransmissionAutomatic, 5 speed
  • Steering positionLeft Hand Drive
  • Fuel typePetrol
  • Seller TypePrivate
  • TownGironde
  • CountryFrance
  • Auction ends

Bidding history

23 Bids

michael••••
Bid
€87,000
27/04/25
roberts••••
Bid
€84,000
27/04/25
michael••••
Bid
€82,000
27/04/25
milhous••••
Bid
€76,000
27/04/25
michael••••
Bid
€75,000
27/04/25
mercede••••
Bid
€72,000
27/04/25
milhous••••
Bid
€69,000
27/04/25
michael••••
Bid
€66,000
27/04/25
roberts••••
Bid
€56,000
27/04/25
roberts••••
Bid
€49,000
27/04/25

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