1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE

First registered on 14 June 1972, when Don McLean’s “Vincent” was topping the UK charts, this Mercedes-Benz 280SE automatic has had 6 previous owners. It is believed to have undergone some restoration work in the late 1990s - during the fifth keeper’s 30-year ownership - and was given the once-over a decade later to replace rubber trims and seals.

The sixth owner spent around £3.6k on the car in his two year guardianship and the current owner acquired the car just last December. He is selling sooner than expected to fund the purchase of a newer classic.

Just like Vincent’s “Starry, starry night”, the 280SE is painted in Midnight Blue and is in a largely good condition with barely any blemishes and just the occasional light abrasion. The chrome brightwork tells a slightly different story in that the shine has gone from much of it, particularly on horizontal surfaces, but there doesn’t seem to be anything by way of corrosion to the underlying steel.

There doesn’t appear to be any significant damage to the bodywork and the shut lines and panel gaps look straight and even.

The car sits on 14-inch Baroque-style Bundt light alloy wheels - also known as “Mexican Hats” - which are in good order and are fitted with matching Hankook Optimo whitewall tyres dating from 2019.

The beige interior is clad in what looks like MB-Tex - Mercedes’ amazing faux leather that can withstand just about any amount of wear and which is still used in their cars today.

In this car the upholstery seems to have lived up to its reputation in that there is barely anything in the way of wear or damage and only a little discoloration on the seat bolsters to give away its age.

Up front, ahead of the large-diameter steering wheel with chromed horn-bar, the dash looks very original to the period. Only the more modern stereo - partially disguised by its retro fascia - breaks up the very seventies look of plain-grain wood veneer and black padded vinyl.

The radio/mp3 player functions well and has USB connection as well as Bluetooth to work with a smartphone. It also comes with a remote control if you want to focus on the driving and leave the choice of entertainment to the kids in the back!

There is a little cracking on the top of the dash in the nearside corner and the wood trim there is slightly broken too. Just below, the latch to the glove box is also missing. The headlining looks taut and tidy but there is some staining - old glue possibly - around the rear courtesy light and the sides where it meets the door surrounds.

Otherwise the interior is very clean and comfortable, with good carpeting and rear seat belts added a few years ago to match those in the front and give the rear passengers some security.

Lift the bonnet and you’ll find an engine bay that isn’t the tidiest or prettiest looking one, with various mismatched pipes, hoses and cables snaking all over and around the motor. There is a little surface rust on some of the ancillaries and fixings but the engine looks cared for and runs well.

The undersides of the car have an older coating of underseal which is now flaking off to show surface rust beneath. A good wire brushing and re-application would make a big difference to how it looks - not that many people will see it. There is some evidence of recent renewal, such as the radiator hose and the exhaust system. From after the downpipe, it is a Klarius system made from aluminised steel which gives a similar longevity and corrosion protection as stainless without the extra cost.

The boot in a W108 is cavernous. When these days cars boast of being able to get two sets of golf clubs in, this one could easily caddy for a four-ball - trolleys and all! The walls of the boot are painted black but there is a recent stretch of carpet lining the floor. Stowed to the right hand side is a spare wheel with jack and wheel brace. Opposite is a small well area holding a warning triangle and protective floor mats. These don’t really match the car’s interior but are a useful addition to keep the carpets clean.

Despite being exempt as an historic vehicle, the 280SE has a current MOT which is valid until September 2023. It passed with advisories on a coolant leak - which invoices show to have been fixed - and minor oil and exhaust leaks, the latter coming from the older front pipes.

The history file includes various items of paperwork including a number of MOT reports dating from 1989 and some printed operating instructions.

There are also numerous invoices including several from the previous ownership where independent Mercedes-Benz specialist Autoclass Garage of Milton Keynes looked after the car up until last autumn. During the 2+ years of ownership, the previous keeper spent around £3.6k on rectifying any issues with the car - especially mechanical ones.

One invoice from November 2020 shows that the instrument cluster was replaced to rectify the non-functioning odometer - which would explain the current low reading.

There is a good deal of earlier paperwork too, including some which suggests restoration work to the body was carried out back in 1998 as well as new rubber seals and trims all round in 2008.

The vendor reports that the engine was tuned last month and the car runs extremely well.

There is nothing quite like a seventies Mercedes-Benz. Janis Joplin certainly thought so - although we have it on good authority that she also enjoyed brightly painted cars built elsewhere in Stuttgart.

This 280SE is a handsome and well maintained example of the kind of car that would have wafted the Kapitäne der Industrie up and down West Germany’s autobahns five decades ago.

Because the chrome isn’t at its best, we think this 280SE will sell for between £10,000 and £15,000, which is very little for a very usable classic Merc saloon from a highly collectible period.

On a car of this age there’s always something - like the chrome - that the next owner can do to improve it and keep it running, but we can’t imagine that there will be anything too onerous in the foreseeable future.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.