I love this vintage Mercedes! Especially the two-door hardtop body style such as this 1969 280SE. I also don’t know a whole about them but I’ve never let that stop me before so let’s look at this beautiful coupe, in-depth, and see what it has to offer. This Mercedes-Benz is located in Saratoga, New York and is available, here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $79,000.
Known officially as a W111 chassis, this series was in production from ’59 through ’68 in a four-door sedan body style, with a two-door hardtop and convertible being offered between ’61 and ’71. The total production run generated around 370K copies for all body variations. The W111s were powered by different engines and identified by their unique model designation. Specifically, the 280SE, such as our subject car, was introduced in late 1967 and stayed in the M-B line up until early 1971.
The seller describes his car by stating, “Extremely clean and beautifully restored 1969 Mercedes 280SE Coupe. The level of restoration is evident the moment you lay eyes on this rare classic coupe“. That’s the truth! There is nothing out of place on this Mercedes, not a visual nick, scratch, ding, dent, nothing. The seller mentions that this Mercedes, though minus any crash damage, has been the beneficiary of professionally applied service to some of its bodywork, ostensibly for rust repair. Having been refinished in its original shade of Tobacco Brown, this coupe shows beautifully. And I’ll admit it, I’m not a fan of brown but this presentation, and its depth, couldn’t be more perfect and appropriate for this generation 280SE.
The interior mimics the exterior in terms of its condition and is a perfect complement to the brown exterior hue. It is claimed to be original and shows only the typical leather creases that one would expect to find on a 68K mile car that is over a half-century in age. The excellence continues through the carpet, dash, and instrument panel. And as an added treat, this big Benz is air-conditioned.
The 280SE designation means a 160 HP, 2.8 liter, in-line, six-cylinder engine. The seller refers to this 280SE’s motivational force as, “Mechanically sound. Engine rebuild…it’s truly a pleasure to drive“. The fuel injection system was also professionally rebuilt as was the four-speed automatic transmission. The brakes and suspension have been given the once-over too.
Yes, I’d love to own this 280SE! Years ago, being a gearhead with a penchant for Detroit Iron, I didn’t appreciate cars like this Mercedes. Of course, back then, Mercedes weren’t as everywhere as they are today and they were mostly sought out by individuals that had specific familiarity with the marque and knew of their purposeful engineering and architecture – more an appreciation than a pursuit of status. Times have changed, as has Mercedes-Benz but I’m afraid that I’ll have to dream on. But how about you, interested?
These are just timeless, extremely well built cars with plenty of parts available. Forever cars with proper care. Small point , it appears the drivers seat is just plain dirty. Unclear why you would offer the car for sale without taking care of obvious, basic cleaning. You then ask yourself, what else was over looked?
Agree, Rodney, …and he could have untangled the seat belts for the photos. Little things mean a lot.
Ridiculous price. For that kind of money buy a new c300 coupe and have 30k left over
or screw the $30K and buy an AMG C63 S Coupe.
I owned a 1970 280 SE. Was a fun car to drive! I wish I still owned it! It had all the accessories, and I added a great sound system!
I was pulled over in Massachusetts, leaving Boston, by a state trooper. I asked him why he pulled me over. His response, “I wanted to check out your car.” Go figure! … Lol
PS. I still have spare parts left over from an engine rebuild, and NOS rocker panels I never installed before I sold it.
I too, was once pulled over by a police officer while driving a 1970 NSU Ro80. Same thing, he just wanted to check out my car! I didn’t mind. People always asked about my car where ever I went!
It looks like a nice example, but the Ask is completely detached from reality.
I lived for a while in an old coal-mining town in what used to be company housing for the miners. At the entrance to our little village was a large structure that housed the company store and a residence for the proprietors. The company store survived longer than the mine, but it, too was eventually closed. After the store owners passed away, the contents of the store were auctioned off. I watched as the auctioneers extracted a beautiful 280SE Coupe from the basement. The store owners bought it new and drove it so infrequently that nobody in the neighborhood knew it was there. Apparently, they cherished it all those years, because it was stunning. I don’t know what it sold for, but the entire auction cleared over $600K, thanks to numerous antiques.
I had a 4 door w110. It was in solid condition and when I lost storage I had to sell it. No takers….
10 cents a pound at the recyclers. My friend trailered it in. I could not watch…..
My ‘111, a 65 220S, has been a great ride for 27 years now. 80K seems nutty money, though for this one. (How is this one a barn find or a survivor?)
Had a chance to buy one 6years ago, for $20000 grand in excellent condition guess I should have done it.
I had a 1964 220SEb coupe, same body as this car. One of the prettiest cars ever made and super nice to drive. This price seems ridiculous to me but it will surely be worth that much someday. Watch out for rust!
Mercedes are doubtlessly the world champions of designing timelessly beautiful cars. There simply is nothing like them. Of course in the 1930´s they were outdone by Horch with their 120PS 2 seat roadster, driven by the immortal Bernd Rosemeyer.
Our neighbors in the 70’s imported a stunning 280SE 4.5. A beautiful car with the big V8 engine. Light green with camel interior.
When visualize a “high quality car” this is one that comes to mind.
My dad had the 4 door ’70 280SE for “super einspritz” (fuel injected). The 4.5L v8 was very smooth with the single ohc and fast for the times. Very comfortable and well designed car. Let go of the wheel at a buck twenty and it goes rail straight and no vibration. Loads of fun to drive!
A question for everyone:
If this vehicle is merely parked, then why is the automatic transmission selector lever set to the low range?
That’s usually a dead giveaway that the transmission itself is missing (“rolling chassis”, or a variation on the theme).
Seems wonky to me.
In that era, if I remember correctly, the “park” position was all the way back. Strange, I know, but I’m pretty sure that was the way it was!
I owned two w109 300SE L 6.3’s – an early 1969 with a VIN in the low XXX1800’s, and a 1970 in the XXX3700’s. When I would drive both on the same day, I would have to very consciously remind myself of the reverse pattern of the shifter on the 1969 automatic.
The 1969 Mercedes AT floor shift was 2 3 4 N R P from top to bottom. The 1970 was a P R N 4 3 2 that was more like the P R N D L pattern found in other automatics. The shift lever in the lowest position, all the way back, would have been P in a 1969 MB.
Elegant car and it proves that OUR styling studios are really closed.
I love these. Passed on one with a steel sunroof for 11K back in the late eighties.Ended up with a ’67 230 SL….. And I thought 11 K was too much for what I pegged a 6K car. And it was really nice. Its amazing what some iron brings now.