This 1973 Mercedes-Benz 280 sedan is a handsome driver that is said to be in solid mechanical condition and ready to drive across Canada tomorrow, should the next owner feel so adventurous. And why wouldn’t you? These are incredibly comfortable cruisers that can feel decidedly modern when you keep them on the interstate, fully capable of keeping up with modern traffic while being more comfortable inside than most anything else on the road. The 280 is listed here on the Barn Finds Classifieds as a two-owner car from single family ownership. The 280 comes with a silky inline six, and is listed without an asking price.
The seller claims there’s just under 74,000 original miles and that the odometer is in good working order. The W114/W115 sedans are some of the more accessible classic Mercedes, both in terms of the number of cars still available for sale and the typically reasonable price point. These strike me as being the equivalent of a modern-day C-Class, a fine automobile but certainly at the lower rungs of the company’s product offerings. Of course, when you’re talking about a Mercedes product made anytime before the mid 90s, that’s not a bad thing – they were typically overbuilt from a durability and quality standpoints. Plus, you have to love these earlier models with the slim chrome bumpers and smooth taillights.
The interiors were spartan affairs in the classic Mercedes tradition, but this isn’t a bad thing. Very little to break and what is there looks good. Handsome wood trim, a simple center stack with a classic Becker radio in the console, and a automatic shifter with no powered functions surrounding it, just waiting to go bad. Crank windows and not much else in the way of features to count here, and it makes you realize how different our standards were for luxury cars in the 1970s. Coming from a Cadillac, the Mercedes had to seem like a downgrade given the lack of opulence; of course, those seats would outlast you and the car handily. The listing doesn’t call out any interior features, but there’s nothing that stands out as worrisome in photos.
The engine bay is nicely presented, especially the air cleaner assembly that doesn’t show any of the typical signs of rust. The seller notes a few maintenance items that have been carried out while in his care, including a re-cored radiator and some of the steering linkages being replaced. The seller notes that some body panels have been replaced, including both rocker panels and one front fender, the former almost certainly being due to rust accumulation. That’s my only real concern with a car like this that lives in Canada is assessing whether there’s more rust hiding somewhere else; aside from that, this 280 sedan looks like a fine vintage driver.
Where in Canada is Parksville?
North of Victoria, on Vancouver Island, in British Columbia.
“No asking price listed.” That’s a big ol’ thanks, but no thanks.
What’s the point in offering a car for sale without giving an asking price?
So I’ve been watching this out of curiousity.
Apparently the Vancouver Island outfit is an auction house.
Looking at the car there is considerable rust deterioration in the( I think) driver side rocker. Ths is the kind of rust that turns the metal into what appears to be pages of a book.
I always liked these. If it has always been in Canada I would think the potential for extensive rust is obvious. Its what you can’t see that is worrisome and I wish there were more and better pictures of this area and the undercarriage.
In this era of internet car sales I would think that sellers would bend over backwards to insure a bidder has a firm undertsanding of the extent of the rust. After all, many of the bidders may be in the US.
On top of that, given the pandemic,there is the importation issue with the borders now closed.
I bought a 73 280 that I’m going to restore to be a driver. I believe the car has only 63K on it. Very little rust. Paid $600 for it. I have a 1995 w124 drivetrain to install. The original engine is quite underpowered and thirsty with the Solex 4Bbl and short final drive. I couldn’t bring myself to do the SBC conversion so I will keep it MB. These were really solid cars in the day.
This is a “No Reserve Auction”
The Highest Bidder will win this car.
The proceeds are being donated to “Knowledge Network”
We will be posting a Test Drive Video Shortly
We will also be posting pic’s of the undercarriage
We posted pic’s of the rear quarter’s surface rust to be Daringly Honest.
There is no signs of rust on the floor panel, lower doors or any of the other lowers.
Please visit our website http://www.jettauction.com for more pictures.
Cheers and Happy Bidding
Jett Auction
Hello All
This is a “No Reserve Auction”
The Highest Bidder will win this car.
The proceeds are being donated to “Knowledge Network”
We will be posting a Test Drive Video Shortly
We will also be posting pic’s of the undercarriage
We posted pic’s of the rear quarter’s surface rust to be Daringly Honest.
There is no signs of rust on the floor panel, lower doors or any of the other lowers.
Please visit our website http://www.jettauction.com for more pictures.
Cheers and Happy bidding
Jett Auction