1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe

Description

With their timeless good looks and advanced mechanical specification, the Mercedes-Benz W111 range of coupes and cabriolets were amongst the classiest cars produced in the Sixties.  Originally launched in 1961 in 220SE guise with elegant styling by the talented Paul Bracq, both open and closed cars were full five-seaters and beautifully detailed inside and out.  The improved 250SE was introduced in 1965, adopting disc brakes all round along with 14-inch wheels, but remained otherwise substantially the same.  Mercedes-Benz simultaneously replaced both the 250SE and air suspension 300SE models with the 280SE in 1968, using a more powerful version of the six-cylinder engine and the revised floorpan shared with the new W108 series saloons.  The new motor – the M130 in Stuttgart’s coding system – had a single overhead camshaft, Bosch mechanical fuel injection and developed a healthy 160 bhp, with the choice of either a sophisticated four-speed automatic or transmissions, with a five-speed a rarely seen option.  Remaining in production from late 1967 until mid-1971, the 280SE – in either stylish pillarless coupe or cabriolet form – were very expensive cars when new and sold in tiny numbers in comparison to the regular four-door saloons.  In total, just 3,797 280SE coupes were made, of which the vast majority were sold to the United States and today these supremely stylish Mercedes-Benz are eagerly sought out by collectors.