Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe (W111)

THE MODEL

• Introduced at the 1959 Frankfurt Motor Show as a replacement to the then outdated ‘Ponton’ series, the Mercedes-Benz W111 – as it was internally known – was a flagship luxury 4-door saloon designed to compete with the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
• Pioneered by Béla Barényi, its design and construction was not only aesthetically forward thinking – its famed rear tail fins, or Heckflosse, being the most distinctive feature – but also technologically innovative, introducing a number of important safety advancements:
  • For the first time in a large volume production car, front and rear crumple zones formed an integral part of the car’s design, absorbing kinetic energy at impact and protecting the driver/passenger cabin;
    
  • Patented retractable seat belts to help secure passengers in the event of collision
• The 4-door saloon sold well, but by 1961, Mercedes-Benz had decided that an update was in order.
• They tasked the legendary automotive designer, Paul Bracq, with developing a new Coupe/Cabriolet version of the 4-door saloon, and what he created has lived on as one of the most elegant and beautiful 2-door luxury vehicles of all time:
  
• Initially powered by the same 2195cc (M127) straight-six as its predecessors, the W111 Coupes would go on to receive a number of mechanical upgrades over the next 10 years, primarily focused at improving the car’s performance and usability.
• The early 220SE Coupes were succeeded by the enlarged 250SE Coupe in 1965, and then again by the 280SE Coupe in 1967, which featured the 2778cc (M130) Bosch fuel-injected straight-six, producing some 160bhp and a respectable 0-62mph time of 13s with the automatic gearbox.
• Between 1967-1971, only 3,797 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupes were built, making it not only very rare, but also one of the most desirable and collectable cars of its generation.

THIS CAR

• It’s believed that of the 3,797 280SE Coupes ever produced, only 150 were ever been configured to RHD specification.
• This car is Chassis No. 111.024.22.000084:
  • 111.024 is the chassis prefix for W111 280SE Coupes;
  • 22 shows that the car was built in Germany and ordered in RHD specification;
  • 000084 is the serial number of the car
• This car then, is number 84 of 150 RHD Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupes.
• The car has been carefully maintained by the same private owner for over 30 years, who has used it sparingly every year for light summer drives and the annual trip to the MOT station.
• Having previously sold another car on behalf of this same owner, we can vouch for how well he looks after them. The cars are always kept inside, and they never go out in the wet/rain. The lack of rust/corrosion on the car today stands as a testament to this!
• Originally delivered in White, the car was repainted over 30 years ago in the beautiful period correct Light Red that it wears today, and having just treated the car to a full professional cut and polish, we can confirm that the paint is in absolutely wonderful condition.
• The car’s original engine (130.980.22.000400) was replaced a number of years ago with another unit of the correct type (130.980.20.010049), and having just commissioned a full compression/leak-down test on all 6 cylinders, it’s clear that the engine is in fantastic health.
• The car also benefits from ‘top of the range’ (W112) exterior chrome styling around the wheel arches and down the side of the car.
• On the inside, the black leather interior was fully re-trimmed less than 10 years ago, and having covered less than 1,000 miles since, is in nearly perfect condition.
• This really is a car you need to see in person to fully appreciate. Its road presence, comfort and build quality make it a total joy to cruise around in, and the raspy exhaust note from the twin pipes out the back only adds to the occasion.
• We urge anyone who is interested in the car to come and see us in Bicester for a test drive – you won’t be disappointed!

Want total peace of mind? We’ve partnered with WarrantyWise – the UK’s leading used car warranty specialist – to provide complete cover for this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe*:

*Single Claim Limit £5,000 | Unlimited Claims | Max Labour Rate £100ph | T&Cs