Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe
Extensive marque specialist restoration with minimal mileage since
Estimate
£70, 000 - £80, 000
Registration No: PKH 566F
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: Exempt
1 of just 150 originally supplied in right-hand drive specification
Purchased by marque specialist restorers Heaney Motor Company and lavished with an exhaustive restoration being completed in 2018
Under 4, 000 miles covered since the completion of the restoration
Boasting matching chassis and engine numbers
Introduced in mid-1959, the Mercedes-Benz W111 series was a natural progression from the 220 Pontoon. The new models were bigger inside and out and sported a greater abundance of brightwork; not to mention the finned rear wings which spawned the model's 'Fintail' nickname. In addition to the four-door Saloon, the range comprised an elegant two-door Cabriolet and Coupe designed by Paul Bracq. The cars were very well-appointed inside, being adorned with Mercedes textured leather and wood trimmings. The fully independent suspension comprised of wishbones and coil springs at the front and low-pivot swing-axles with radius arms and coil springs at the rear, the ride from which was very statesman-like.
Originally the W111 Coupé was launched as the 220SE in late 1960, appointed with a straight-six 2, 195cc engine and 160km/ h top speed. This was followed in 1965 by the 250SE and then in November 1967, the 250 SE was superseded by the 280SE. It was powered by the new 2, 778cc M130 engine, which produced 160hp (119kW) at 5500rpm. Top speed was hardly affected, but acceleration from 0-100km/ h (62mph) improved to 10. 5 seconds. Inside, the car received a wood veneer option on the dashboard and other minor changes, including door lock buttons and different heater levers. Despite its smaller engine, the 280SE could outperform the early 1950s M189-powered 300 SE, resulting in the more expensive model's retirement. In all, 3, 797 examples of the 280SE Coupé were manufactured of which 150 were right-hand drive.
Manufactured in July 1968, chassis ‘the details below’ was supplied new the Republic of Ireland and is understood to have resided there until 2008 when the Mercedes was entrusted to well-regarded Mercedes-Benz restorers Heaney Motor Company of Derry as a barn find on behalf of a customer. From there, the 280 was stripped to bare metal, the bodywork was fully restored with genuine Mercedes-Benz new old stock panels (that are practically unattainable now) fitted as required, before the Coupe was repainted in Anthrazit Grau metallic. The interior upholstery was fully retrimmed in Mulberry Red leather with a wool velour mix carpet set and factory specification headlining. The woodwork was veneered and lacquered, with extensive rechroming outside. Unfortunately, the restoration stalled at this point and Coupe was put to the side for numerous years.
The mechanical restoration started in 2018 when a new customer requested that Heaney continue their restoration work and chassis ‘001236’ was provided brakes renewal; new springs and shock absorbers installed; the engine and gearbox refreshed; radiator re-cored; full new exhaust system; amongst much further mechanical renovation. Full details of the restoration work are available on request, with Heaney informing us that the Coupe received everything required. Provided with a Northern Ireland MOT certificate in December 2018 with 2, 214 miles on the odometer, the 280 SE Coupe was thereafter road tested for 500 miles to iron out. Purchased by a significant collector in 2019, ‘PKH 566F’ has covered just 1, 100 further miles to date and is therefore still exceptionally fresh since the completion of the restoration. Supplied with current V5C document, Mercedes-Benz manufacturers confirmation letter, copy of the data card, documented breakdown of the restoration work, and letter from Heaney about the car.
A matching chassis and engine numbers example, this 280 SE Coupe has very rare factory features such as electric windows and electric sunroof that were usually exclusively for the 3. 5-litre cars. With Heaney estimating that the restoration cost was in the region of £80, 000 - £85, 000 (without the car's initial purchase price), this 280 SE Coupe has much to recommend it.
