1969 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

There can’t be too many more W111 Coupé barn finds out there. We were very excited to find this 1969 280SE Coupé that has been stored away since 1996.

This UK-supplied, right-hand drive W111 Coupé is a six-cylinder, high-grill car. One of 150 right-hand drive 280SE Coupés built worldwide.

The W111 Coupés and Cabriolets remain some of the most beautiful post-war Mercedes produced and are said to be the last of the hand-built models. They were certainly limited in production, extremely expensive and transport exclusively for the rich and famous.

Sadly, we don’t know the early history of this car other than it was sold new, in the UK, in March of 1969. Originally white, it has been colour changed many years ago to Moss Green metallic, understandably as it is one of the prettiest colours for these cars. The green leather interior appears to be original, but we would need a data card to clarify. Unusually, for a UK car, it has Behr air conditioning fitted, electric windows and a sunroof.

The car was last run and driven in 1996, when it was entombed in the garage it remained in until recently. All we have done is lubricate the cylinder bores and ensure the engine turns over smoothly by hand. It rolls easily for loading too.

Of course this is a restoration project, but as the photos show the bodywork is remarkably solid. The interior is also very nice and with a clean-up can be preserved. The missing pieces of wood from around the screen are wrapped up on the rear seat having been refurbished. The whole car appears to be complete.

Being such a rare right-hand drive 280 with factory A/C, this is the perfect basis for restoration.