West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptional example of this extremely rare and unrestored mostly all original survivor, apart from one repaint in its original factory 'Silver Metallic' (MB code 180) color paint, of a W112-024 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE fuel injection Coupe with it's original engine, its original tools, rare factory air conditioning and power steering and disc brakes and original black leather interior!
In 1968, Mercedes-Benz introduced the 280 SE, the last of Mercedes-Benz's hand-built model lines, and one of the final evolutions of W111 platform. They came equipped with the new inline six-cylinder M130 motor, and they continued the tradition of W111 'Fintails' dating to 1959. The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 Series was available as a sedan, coupe, or convertible and was powered by an overhead-cam six-cylinder engine with two carburetors and delivered 157 horsepower. The 280SE, 280SL, and 280SEL versions received the same engine but with a 9.5:1 compression ratio and Bosch fuel injection system and delivered 180 horsepower. A four-speed manual was standard with an automatic available as optional equipment. Inside, the car received a wood veneer option on the dashboard and air conditioning was a factory option. Only 3,797 Coupes were built between the 1968-71 production years with many of these coupes have been unceremoniously chopped into bogus convertibles over the years making this unmolested and mostly all original example exceedingly rare.
The combination of superb performance and elegant and luxurious styling makes the 280SE Coupe a very highly collectible and desirable car amongst classic car collectors internationally and this is obviously especially true for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. This was an very low production car for its day with only 3,797 units produced during its only four years of production (1968-71) with very few unmolested examples remaining on the road or available in any form today.
This particular example shows its original factory 'Silver Metallic' (Color code 180) color in an older but very presentable repaint which is very fine condition throughout. The original black leather interior is in quite remarkable condition for its age showing some mild and quite attractive patina in the form of some leather being worn and splitting in some areas (see photos below), rather like your favorite comfortable old leather sofa. This is a mostly all original example with the wood veneer being in very fine shape, the leather seats and original carpets showing patina in places, the gauges, knobs and dials are all in a virtual time warp, having always obviously been garaged, there is no signs of any major damage from the elements. There is no rust and the car boasts its original factory 'Becker Europa' AM/FM radio, power steering, factory tools and original factory air conditioning and with a little TLC this very honest and unrestored and obviously always garaged and rust and accident free example would prove the perfect candidate for the Mercedes enthusiast to restore and prove a worthy classic addition to any collection.
Carrying a whopping MSRP of over $10K over fifty years ago, it should come as no surprise that this placed the 280SE Coupe squarely in Rolls Royce territory with only those who could afford the best able to buy one. Hand built with generously applied chrome fittings, combined with the finest natural materials available, provide an unmatched ambiance of luxury and wealth in its lavishly appointed interior, with fine ROSER leather, exquisite burl wood and chrome plated fittings abound, the standard of craftsmanship apparent everywhere on this car is nothing short of astonishing on these hand-built Mercedes luxury cars. As previous;y stated it is of particular note that this particular car still boasts it's mostly completely original looking interior including original radio, original steering wheel, leather and wood and original factory air conditioning!
This car must be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - in summary, this must be one of the finest, to say nothing of one of the rarest example's left available of a mostly all original 1969 Mercedes Benz 280 SE Coupe with no signs of any rust and no accidents; a prime candidate for an easy concourse restoration for the Mercedes enthusiast or simply a fine daily driver for any classic car enthusiast!
