Description
Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe | 1969
Highlights:
- Rare low-grille version with six-cylinder engine and manual gearbox
- Left-hand drive example originally registered in the Netherlands
- Large photo history of restoration prior to current ownership
- Original factory paint on roof
- Recently renewed clutch, exhaust, radiator, and brakes
The seller offers for sale this 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe, a stylish classic blending refined engineering with elegant design. This particular vehicle is equipped with a 2.8-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and a manual transmission, a combination that offers a more engaging driving experience than many of its automatic contemporaries. This 280SE is a rare low-grille variant, sought after for its distinctive frontal styling, and features left-hand drive configuration. Originally registered in the Netherlands, the car was imported into the UK in 2008 and has since been used regularly as the seller’s daily driver for eleven years. Over this period, it has benefitted from ongoing maintenance, including a recently fitted new clutch, new rear exhaust box with intermediate pipes, a new radiator, new brake pads front and rear, and good recent tyres. The car’s bodywork is in good condition overall. The roof retains its original factory paint, offering an appealing detail for collectors seeking originality. The seller describes the vehicle as having “real street presence” and being frequently admired on the road. The car comes with a large photo archive documenting its restoration prior to the current ownership, giving insight into the care and attention it has received over the years.
The paintwork is generally in good condition, showing only minor chips or scratches, with the seller noting that minimal bodywork or paint correction may be needed. While the exterior appears well maintained, the interior does require attention. It is original throughout but shows signs of age and use after years of daily driving. The seller explicitly states that the interior will need recommissioning, with significant wear present and some parts potentially missing. Despite this, the car is said to drive well, and the mechanical components are in good order. The vehicle holds a valid inspection certificate.
The Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe belongs to the prestigious W111 model series, introduced in the early 1960s and continuing production into the early 1970s. These models are celebrated for their graceful lines, robust engineering, and luxurious presence. The coupes and cabriolets, designed by Paul Bracq, featured elegant pillarless construction, creating an airy and distinctive silhouette when the windows were lowered. The W111 280SE represented one of the later and more powerful iterations of the series, replacing earlier 220 and 250 models with the 2.8-litre straight-six engine. This engine offered a balance of smoothness and adequate power, producing around 160 hp, enabling respectable performance for a grand touring coupe of its time.
While many 280SE coupes were equipped with automatic transmissions, manual versions are particularly prized among enthusiasts for delivering a more connected and engaging driving experience. The low-grille variant, such as this example, is considered rarer and adds another layer of appeal due to its subtly updated design language as Mercedes transitioned aesthetic cues into the 1970s. In period, the 280SE coupe was a car that blended understated luxury with modern safety features, including crumple zones and advanced suspension systems. It was favored by affluent buyers seeking a vehicle that combined elegance with solid engineering.
Over the decades, these coupes have become increasingly collectible, valued for their timeless style and the quality of their construction. They are frequently featured in classic car shows and continue to turn heads thanks to their refined proportions and chrome accents. Ownership of a W111 coupe is often described as an experience that goes beyond mere transportation, offering an emotional connection to an era when craftsmanship and design were paramount in automotive production. However, preserving these vehicles requires attention to detail, especially regarding bodywork and interior restoration, as original parts can be costly and rare. Despite these challenges, the Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe remains one of the most respected and desirable classics in the marque’s history, offering a blend of prestige, beauty, and driving pleasure that few other cars of its era can match.
Condition of the Bodywork and Paint
4. Very Good: Small dents or scratches; may require minimal bodywork or paint correction.
Condition of the Interior
1. Requires Restoration: Significant damage is present, with some parts possibly missing.
Technical Condition
4. Very Good: Mechanically solid, with possible minor maintenance required.
Overall Condition
3. Good Condition: May need some mechanical and cosmetic repairs, but can drive.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.
All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.
Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.
This car is currently located in Greater London, United Kingdom.
This car drives, brakes and shifts.
The car has a UK registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.
The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.
Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.
