1983 Mercedes-Benz 280CE Coupe

Description

Topping the extended W123 family in the 1970s and 1980s, the Mercedes-Benz 280CE was an elegant two-door coupe built launched in 1977 on a platform shortened by some four inches. With a lower roofline, pillarless doors and side windows, the W123 coupe followed the tradition of the previous W114/115 coupe but is considered a far more successful, harmonious design. Adhering to Mercedes-Benz' motto ?Safety First?, the W123 range boasted an incredibly strong body structure, with reinforced doors and a collapsible steering column and this, combined with robust mechanicals and an effective five-stage rustproofing process, has meant the survival rate is remarkable. Indeed, the W123 has become incredibly popular in some of the toughest environments possible, testamony to the inherent strength of the design and it became the most successful model to wear the famous Three Pointed Star to date, with more than 2.6 million examples leaving the Stuttgart factory. Under the skin, the 280CE was mechanically unchanged from its four-door sibling, with the M110/988 twin overhead cam six-cylinder engine developing 177bhp at 6000pm (output raised to 185bhp in early 1978) and featuring Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. Buyers could still choose between a manual or automatic transmission, with a five-speed gearbox optional from February 1982. Equipment levels on the 280CE were significantly higher than on cheaper, four-cylinder W123 models, with power steering, and rear headrests standard across all markets. The 280CE remained in production until July 1985 and today these cars make perfect sense as classic daily drivers.