1971 Mercedes-Benz W108 280 SE #2270

A 280SE with the V8 engine is a rare sight, particularly in right-hand drive format. This is a usable classic car with space for the family and luggage. This vehicle is also ULEZ compliant so would suit someone living in the city.

Most commonly, the 280SE was offered with an array of straight-six variants, with the V8 not arriving until 1970 to please Americans. A right-hand drive example with a V8 is therefore something of a unique opportunity. According to Howmanyleft.co.uk, there are only 142 left in the UK, with only 101 of these licensed to be driven on the roads.

About this Mercedes 280 SE 3.5 (W108)

The 280SE you see here was registered to a Mr B Snape of Snape & Son Ltd, Salford, on the 27^th December 1972; with the warranty card showing a last minute amend to the registration carried out in biro. Accompanying the warranty card, is the original vehicle data card in German, as well as the all the original owners’ manuals, servicing book and Mercedes-Benz’s own Europa book detailing every service centre on the continent. Accompanying all of this, is an original invitation to join the Mercedes-Benz owners club.

The saloon was well used and similarly well maintained by Mr Snape, covering 69,465 under his ownership up until 1980. During this time, he used the same local service centre – T.H Bennett Motors LTD of Preston, where the car was tended to religiously and with the only large gap between services being 1975 – 1977. Presumably the car was utilised for business, as the mileage climbed sharply in the first 7 years of the saloon being on the road.

From 1980 the 280SE was sold for the grand total of £2450.00 to a Mr J Dargie – from here, little is known about the saloon’s fate and where the car would reside moving forward. The journey resurfaces in the mid-2000s when the is acquired by the current owner – Mr Fletcher of Manchester – who went to considerable lengths to return the saloon to the road.

Mr Fletcher exchanged regular communication with Mercedes-Benz, piecing together the history of the vehicle with the help of MB’s Homologation Department and acquiring support for the repair of the interior heater controls. Mr Fletcher paid for a Supply of Date of Manufacture Letter from MB at a cost of £30.00. It was in his possession that the car was brought up to the standard you see today.

The 280SE 3.5 Saloon was an unaffordable saloon to most in 1970s Britain, suggesting the original owner was a well to do individual. While most of the British public were driving around in Escorts, Marinas and Allegros, Mr Snape’s large displacement 3.5 litre petrol powered V8 would have been a rare sight on northern roads.

With only 11,000 produced between 1970 and 1972, this is one of the rarer saloons produced by Mercedes-Benz.  Featuring Bosch electronic fuel injection, independent suspension, and dual-circuit disc brakes at each wheel, the 280SE was a sophisticated vehicle that still holds its own on modern roads. Power-steering also gives the 280SE added comfort, while electric windows for the front and the rear make journeys a particularly exuberant experience.

In its current form, this vehicle represents a splendid opportunity for a collector or enthusiast to preserve and enjoy a rare segment of MB history; with confidence that the car has been carefully cared for over the past 50 years. With values rising fast, this a very sensible entry point into the classic Mercedes arena.

Interested enthusiasts can request further information about the car by contacting [email protected].