1977 Mercedes-Benz 280S

This Mercedes started life in South Africa, where it was assembled at the East London plant from a CKD (complete knock down) kit, then a common practice by European car makers such as BMW, Austin and Rover when exporting around the world, often incorporating local changes to the final build.

Having spent the last 44 years in that warm, dry climate the W116 left Port Elizabeth bound for the UK in summer 2021. Typically South African imports have little in the way of corrosion thanks to the lack of winter salt and steel friendly conditions.

The light metallic blue suits the big car perfectly, both highlighting the delicate shapes and details and disguising the large size of the Mercedes.

There are a few minor issues around the bodywork, the drivers door rubbing strip is detached, as has the three-pointed star from the bonnet, the doors do take a slight tug to open and the drivers rear door and the rear arches have some blisters showing through but otherwise the bodywork appears solid and the paint is generally in nice condition.

The front footwells have had some moisture in them and there's some rust, but it's not more than you would expect from a car of this vintage. 

The radiator grill shell and mirrors look good with nice chrome although some of the other brightwork is a little pitted out worn.

The wheels have new looking tyres all round and the car has all of its part stainless - part painted hubcaps.

The cabin was one of the most understated yet opulent of any car when new. Four decades on it has a patina of use with the front seats showing heavy patina in the surface and the drivers bolster having a home made repair on the lower section.

The interior materials are all high quality and hard wearing so do look good, the wood inserts in the dash are in great shape and the steering wheel is excellent for the 241,000 KM (149,000 miles) on the clock - the speedo is in KMH, but the dash top has got a crack on the passenger side, and the radio is absent.

The carpets are a deliciously 1970s shade of orangey tan and although little worn have a few marks, and the door cards are also good.

The equipment levels are good with dual zone temperature and cruise control, although it has manual windows all round.

In the boot, the floor of which which looks to have been recently painted, we can find the space wheel and jack kit.

Looking under the car we can see fresh underseal thick and black across the chassis rails, floor pans and suspension arms. Its not uncommon for cars from South Africa of this age to have rust free floors which have been sand blasted to clean metal by the dusty roads. The tyres look like they are very recent but sadly the paperwork for the cars history is not currently with it.

The engine bay looks original and undisturbed. The front bulkhead, which can rust on these, is in really good condition indeed.

Having arrived in Britain in July the car has the all important NOVA certificate and has been registered with the DVLA, who have assigned it the registration YNF 885S you see in the pictures.

Although not pristine, this is a very solid looking example of a 280S with huge potential to be easily tidied and improved to make it an excellent and imposing classic. Having crossed halfway around the world it deserves to find a home who will enjoy it and to give it the TLC it deserves.

Our estimate for this car is £12,000 - £14,000.

Viewing is always encouraged. This particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays between 9am-5pm, 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’.