1973 Mercedes-Benz 280S

Believed to have come originally from South Africa, this W108 has the entry-level 2.8-litre straight-six engine but it has been fitted with twin Weber carburettors (replacing the original Zeniths) to give it more punch and urgency on the throttle.

The 138bhp engine could take the 280S to 62mph in 12.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 112mph with the 4-speed column-shift automatic transmission.

Declared by the DVLA as manufactured in 1971 and first registered in the UK in December of that year with 9 registered keepers, the car is also listed as having been previously registered overseas.

Around 15 months ago it had a respray and restoration; a small fortune was spent on it by its previous owner. Too much maybe as sadly he ran out of cash and had to sell it unfinished.

The odometer shows almost 81,400 miles, which can’t be validated by paperwork although from what online MOT history there is it seems believable. Regardless, the car is stunning inside and out and runs like a dream.

This 280S started life painted in 903 Blue, a solid finish somewhere in colour between air force blue and royal blue. The exact colour now is unknown but looks very similar to Mercedes 355 Diamond Blue Metallic.

A little over a year ago, the car was given a full strip down respray and consequently the paint and bodywork is in a glorious condition. No paint is ever perfect but this is getting very close. The only issues we could see were the odd scuff, a small ding in the middle of the scuttle and a slight flake on the edge below the nearside A pillar.

With such near-perfect paint, it is just as well that the chrome trims and fittings around the car are up to the same standard. In an age where just about everything outside not made of glass and not part of the body was given a shiny chrome finish, we can see the lengths (and costs) to which the previous owner must have gone to make the exterior of this car as amazing as it is.

Again we have found only minor issues such as a few small dents in the chrome and nicks in the rubber strips here and there and that the glass has fallen out of the passenger side door mirror. Happily someone caught it and it sits safely inside the car awaiting repair.

The Merc sits on model-correct 14-inch steel wheels with the OEM one-piece wheel trims which incorporate body-coloured hubcaps and chromed “beauty rings”. All are in excellent condition and are fitted with Maxxis MA-1 white-wall tyres dating from 2014. Both front tyres have a chunk taken out of the side wall but there are two new tyres in the boot ready to fit.

The interior has been professionally and immaculately retrimmed in a lively combination of red and grey MB-Tex upholstery with contrasting stitching. MB-Tex is one of the best looking and hardest wearing of the vinyl-based faux leathers and has been used extensively by Mercedes since the early ‘60s.

The wood veneer across the dashboard has a dark colouring with a deep gloss finish and is absolutely stunning. We are so used to Mercedes of this period having sun-bleached, chipped and cracked wood inserts that this is such a stand out feature.

Across the floor are new grey edge-trimmed carpets and up above a distinctly non-period yet beautifully stitched alcantara lines the roof and sun visors. Every element of the upholstery and interior trim is in immaculate condition, with no sign of damage or wear that we could find. Take a look at the detailed photos and you’ll see for yourself the precision stitching and attention to detail and care with which this car has been retrimmed.

The period Continental radio cassette player is plumbed in and makes a noise through the JBL speakers - although the electric antenna optioned when new has either been replaced or isn’t working - but the unit isn’t yet fitted securely to the dash. A new owner may wish to source a Becker Mexico Olympia radio cassette player to restore what the car originally came with.

In terms of other electrics, the powered sunroof and windows operate amazingly smoothly and quickly, although we couldn’t get the offside rear door window to function. In a nod to modern safety requirements, inertia-reel seatbelts have been fitted front and rear.

Lifting the beautifully balanced and sprung-loaded bonnet, the engine bay looks amazingly neat and tidy for a 50 year old car. Testament to the recent rebuild not just fettling the engine but also attending to the ancillaries and other fittings, from the polished cam cover and new ignition leads to the shiny paint on the radiator top and on the air cleaner feeding the twin Webers.

Underneath the car appears clean and tidy considering that it’s recently been driven from London to our HQ and has been around the local business park a few times. There’s underseal on the floor panels and across the chassis structures - quite thick in places like the wheel arches - and there is surface rust on some of the mechanicals but there are also some that look almost new, particularly towards the front.

The exhaust back box looks like it’s been patch repaired and the whole system painted. There are signs of soot blowing out of the edges of the repair so this is something to keep an eye on.

Inside the large boot, the same edge-trimmed carpeting lines the floor and sides and the spare wheel has been given a tailored cover in grey MB-Text to match the interior trim. As well as the jack and wheel brace, there are also 2 new Maxxis white-wall tyres awaiting fitting.

The car’s last MOT expired in September 2014, since when it has undergone a full restoration. But as it stands, the car has no MOT and although exempt by virtue of its age, we would strongly encourage the new owner to have it tested at the earliest opportunity.

The cost of an MOT is a small investment when offset against the purchase and upkeep of any classic car, and it gives an independent, third-party assessment of the car’s condition, which not only provides reassurance to the owner and any subsequent purchasers but is also invaluable in the event of a bump when negotiating with the police and any interested insurance companies.

There is nothing by way of a history file with this car, but in our book “current condition” trumps “lots of paperwork” every time for a car like this. And this car is in an eye-wateringly stunning condition both aesthetically and mechanically.

It is understood that the majority of the restoration work done on this 280S was completed in late 2019 / early 2020 and the engine rebuild and fitting of the Weber carbs was more recent. There are no invoices for any of this work but the current condition and running of the car speaks for itself.

Although we’ve also given it a test drive and can vouch for how immediate the throttle response is and how smooth the ride, it was also driven to the Market HQ from London to be dropped off, which speaks volumes about how well sorted this 50 year old car is. It drives as we imagine it would have when new back in the early ‘70s, maybe better.

This really is a special car which either has to be seen and experienced to be believed or taken on trust when we say that it is a wonderful, wonderful thing. Whilst the red and grey interior combo may be a little overdone for some, there will be plenty more who appreciate how it adds bucket-loads of character to the car and complements the immaculate exterior finish.

You really won’t find another W108 as good as this, and we think it will sell for between £20,000 and £25,000.

If you’re still not sure how desirable and collectable a good Mercedes-Benz of this era is becoming, next time you’re watching television make a note of how many you see in current programmes and adverts, especially a certain insurance comparison site. And why did confused.com choose the 280S? They said, “In short, it was a creative call. The marketing team liked the aesthetics of the car and its classic lines.” - who are we to argue with that?

Viewing is always encouraged (within Govt. guidelines of course), 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’.