1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Saloon

The W108/109 S-Class saloon was the pinnacle of luxury car design from the time of its introduction in 1965, featuring stylish, classical lines by Paul Bracq, a roomy and beautifully appointed interior and was powered by a range of six-cylinder engines. Demand from the American market for more power saw the introduction in 1970 of a V8 model with the new M116 3.5-litre engine featuring a single-overhead camshaft per bank, Bosch fuel injection and a healthy 200bhp on tap. In the best tradition of Stuttgart's finest, the S-Class boasted state of the art safety equipment, roadholding and luxury features and was built to the highest standards. Offering effortless performance, the 280 SE 3.5 was usually equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission using a fluid flywheel but a small number were sold with the four-speed manual. In production for just two full years, the 280 SE 3.5 was built in limited numbers and just 11,309 were built in total - the vast majority of these going to North America and surviving examples are few and far between in Australia.