1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE |

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1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

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Sold Price

£32,500

Mileage~71,739
Transmission4-Speed Automatic
Engine2.8L
LocationHampstead

SOLD

1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Dom Ginn

Automotive Photographer

The W111 Mercedes is probably one of the most beautiful Mercedes ever built from its era.

The W111 was launched in 1959 and became known as the Heckflosse - German for fintail, this was due to the distinctive fintails on the rear quarters, which was influenced by the Americans at the time. The new model also set the standard for passive safety. Mercedes had designed the vehicle with a sturdy passenger cell and deformation zones to the front and rear.

By 1961, the 2 door coupe had been designed by engineer Paul Bracq, where the focus was on the exterior styling. The result was a more subtle and square rear end which toned down the fintail design. From 1961, the W111 had been fitted with a 2195 cc engine, the M127. This was improved in 1962 with the 2996 cc or an option of the 2496 cc engine. In 1967, the 2496 cc was superseded in favour of the new 2778 cc which is fitted to the stunning 280 SE we have here today.

This 280 SE is finished in the striking metallic red paintwork, which was completed in 2017, and so is in excellent condition. The interior has been retrimmed and the engine rebuilt. Not to mention the thousands of other pounds spent on the Mercedes. Take a look at the paperwork gallery to appreciate what work has been put into the car over the years. A £3,000 repair invoice just 70 miles ago, and a recent service and MOT in August means the car is well and truly ready for its new custodian.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Dom after meeting Alnazir the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

I've owned this beautiful car for the past 12 years and loved every minute of it.

Al purchased his stunning, originally UK-supplied, 1968 Mercedes 280 SE in June 2009 from Cyprus, where it had spent 7-8 years of its life in the sunshine. Since getting the car it has not wanted for anything.

Definitely a classic car fan and Mercedes enthusiast, the car has been the center of attention for the past 12 years for Al.

A no expense spared type relationship with the Mercedes has stood it in good stead.

Al

Vehicle Owner

Al saved £5,760* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

The classic shape of the W111 with a vinyl roof and white walls is something quite special - a thing of absolute beauty.

Wheels and Tyres

Fitted with the normal Mercedes wheels and covered with the classic trim which has the colour coded background to the Mercedes-Benz badge. These do have some kerb marks but are generally nice and bright.

The white wall tyres are all matching and have a few more miles left in them.

Bodywork

Over the years the Mercedes has had some panels replaced or repaired to ensure any tin worm has been kept under control. The end result is a lovely looking 280 SE with panel shuts that look to be as good as they should.

The vinyl covered roof is a nice contrasting colour against the metallic red, and this looks in good condition with no obvious signs of any damage. There are some areas under the vinyl which look to have picked up some debris when it was glued on.

Paint

The 280 SE was repainted in December 2017 costing £4,000. Finished in the lovely metallic Red, the colour pops from every angle and looks fantastic. A sign of a quality job, the invoice for the bodywork states that there is a 5 year guarantee for the work from the date of the invoice.

We encourage you to look through the exterior gallery section for more detailed shots of the paintwork.

Glass and Trim

The glass on the Mercedes looks to all be in good condition, with no obvious scratches that we could see. The chrome trim around the windows is all finished bright and clean, with no signs of corrosion.

The chrome grille is looking as it should with the three pointed star sitting pride of place. The bumper’s chrome finish is all looking as it should with no tarnishing that we could spot. The rubber trim around the edge of the bumper does have a couple of small scuffs, but it’s nothing when you consider the age of the 280.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Cream leather with red piping compliments the exterior colours just perfectly.

Seats and Carpets

The seats are in excellent condition having been retrimmed in cream leather, with red piping to match the body colour. The door cards are matching - they do have some slight scuffing to the lower section. You may be able to remove this with some cleaning products or leather cleaner.

The red carpet is in nice condition, with rubber Mercedes over-mats to protect it, and it is in keeping with the age and mileage.

Dashboard

The dashboard looks to be free from any splits and cracks, which are quite common on older cars. The instruments are in good working order, with the odometer reading ~71,733. The bezels on the instruments are nice and clean, and the covers are clear with no obvious scratching to the plastic faces.

The radio is a Phillips radio cassette and this does not work, but to be honest, a period looking radio with bluetooth is quite readily available and relatively easy to fit, which would rectify this.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel looks to be the original white one and does have some, but not excessive wear. The centre part does have a split in the plastic cover.

The gear stick is fitted to the steering column with the 2, 3, 4, N, R, P indicator located just behind it.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

No expense spared, fully reconditioned, original 160 bhp M130 engine.

Engine and Gearbox

The M130 was fully rebuilt by Crewe Engines Ltd, in September 2007, which also included the painting of brackets and gearbox, new exhaust, temperature gauge and plenty of other parts, all of which are detailed in the paperwork gallery.

The 2.8 fires into life with ease and sounds fantastic when given a gentle rev, with no unwanted noises creeping in that we could hear. A well documented service history has shown the 2.8 has been given lots of love over the years, with the majority of the work being carried out by Schmitt Automobile Services Ltd, and RW Services Ltd in London.

Just 70 miles ago, the Mercedes had new spark plugs, HT Leads, points, rotor arm, water pump and a transmission service coming in at over £3,000.

Suspension and Brakes

The gearbox in the 280 SE is a 4-speed automatic, with the shifter on the steering column. The car is reported to change gear nice and smoothly, with no noises coming from the transmission side of things.

The Drive

The Mercedes 280 SE is the type of car you can sit back and relax in, just cruising along, taking it easy in the comfy retrimmed leather upholstery, without being in a rush to get anywhere.

Al reports that the car does handle as it should and is certainly a head turner.

Electrics and Other

On the electric side of things, all is reported to be working correctly and as it should. The windows are manual, so that's one thing not to worry about with old slow window motors.

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History and Paperwork

The mammoth history file dates back to 1989, showing some expensive invoices you might not want to add up if you were the person paying.

This 280 SE has had some serious money put into it over the years, the type of invoices you probably wouldn't want to add up. With that in mind, it's safe to say the car has definitely been loved and had everything it’s called for.

With invoices dating back to the mid '80s right up to present day, the car has had anything and everything replaced at some point, even a full engine rebuild at a cost of over £4,000, and then more recently a service and a few repairs, as mentioned, at over £3,000. The car is MOT exempt, but has just had an MOT actioned in August, along with a service as pictured in the invoices.

We have actioned our usual checks on the seller, V5 and HPi clear.

Service History

Date	Type	Mileage
25.08.2021	MOT	71,739
13.10.2020	SERVICE/REPAIR	71,661
07.03.2018	MOT	70,823
28.02.2017	MOT	70,252
11.03.2016	MOT	70,250
12.03.2014	MOT	69,480
06.02.2013	MOT	68,932
30.07.2012	SERVICE	68,848
21.11.2011	MOT	68,784
18.11.2010	SERVICE	68,466
16.11.2010	MOT	68,466
17.11.2009	MOT	68,223
25.06.2009	SERVICE	67,500
18.10.2008	MOT	67,193
22.06.2007	MOT	66,952
06.06.2006	MOT	66,793
06.05.2005	MOT	66,394
20,04,2004	MOT	66,067
10.10.2001	MOT	64,835
02.10.1998	MOT	64,226
26.09.1997	MOT	63,595
06.05.1994	SERVICE	61,342
12.04.1990	MOT	57,088
25.03.1989	MOT	54,963
22.07.1987	MOT	54,044