Mercedes 280 SE 3.5 Saloon - 1973 by Perico001 W108
Collection Freddy Deklerck
Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
Bonhams
Parijs - Paris
Frankrijk - France
February 2019
Estimated : € 40.000 - 60.000
Sold for € 36.800
Mercedes-Benz’ new 3.5-litre V8 engine debuted at the 1969 Frankfurt Show in the 280 SE coupé and convertible, and the 300 SEL saloon. An over-square design featuring a cast-iron block and aluminium-alloy cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft, this all-new, state-of-the-art M116 power unit produced 200bhp (DIN) at 5,800rpm courtesy of Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorised ignition. This was some 40 horsepower more than those models’ existing 2.8-litre six, so performance was greatly increased.
From 1971 the new V8 was available in the 280 SE saloon, the marriage resulting in a fast and well equipped ‘gentleman’s express’ combining 200km/h performance with considerable luxury. Running gear was pretty much state-of-the-art from the time, consisting of independent suspension all round and four-wheel dual-circuit disc brakes.
The 3.5-litre version of the 280 SE saloon typifies the resurgence of larger-engined Mercedes-Benz models that began in the late 1960s and early 1970s when the progressive easing of fiscal constraints, which had dissuaded customers from buying cars with large capacity engines, encouraged the German manufacturer to offer bigger, more potent power units. One of the rarer mass-produced Mercedes-Benz saloons - a little over 11,000 being built between March 1971 and September 1972 - the 280 SE 3.5 is today much sought-after by collectors.
This floor-shift automatic transmission 280 SE 3.5 saloon is equipped to an enviable specification, boasting a sunroof and a gorgeous Pullman interior. Owned for many years by a passionate German collector, the car was purchased in Germany by the current Belgian owner some 7 years ago. At the time of purchase the previous owner was told that the car was used by the Mercedes-Benz Factory as a demonstrator during the Munich Olympic Games in 1972 to convey the athletes. Described by the vendor as in excellent restored condition, and in full working order, this rare and supremely elegant modern-era Mercedes-Benz is offered with German registration papers. https://flic.kr/p/2gX32z2
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