1975 Mercedes-Benz W116 280S Restoration - RARE SWB BODY - LESS THAN 100k

1975 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 280S Description

Hello everyone.
Thanks for checking out my 1975 Mercedes-Benz W116 280S restoration project for sale. I am a diehard W116 enthusiast and I am selling my resto-project to open up some space, get some cash and focus on my other 450SEL.
I am the third owner to my knowledge. It was owned originally by an old lady, who then died. It was auctioned off with her estate where the second owner bought it and kept it since in a barn. I bought it off him from BenzWorld wanting a restoration project in high school. I restored it to daily-driveable status where I drove it from 75,000 miles to its current 90,xxx mileage figure in high school and college. Then I ran out of money, needed to concentrate on graduating (I did) and the car sat for five years because the brakes went.
About the car itself, it's a super-rare short-wheelbase W116 with the gas carbed six-cylinder. Ironic since the 280S is the second most reproduced W116 model out of the entire range, first would be the fuel-injected 280SE. The US however only received them from 1975 to 1976. It comes with the same 2.8L M110 straight-six as the W116 280SE, R107 280SL, and the W114 280E, but carbed.
My specific M110 interestingly came with a Pierburg-built Solex 4A1-style carb and it works well and is very clean, all things considered. The best thing about this example is its interior. It comes with black MB-Tex and it's in really solid condition for the age. Seats still have form, no tears or rips. Headlining is still tight and straight. No missing panels. As typical with most W116s, dash has a few cracks as does the wood trim but none of it is missing. Radio is also original.
This car also helped me start my life career as an automotive journalist and led to my first publishing on popular car blog, TheTruthAboutCars.com. This W116 280S was the subject being reviewed.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/07/review-1975-mercedes-benz-280s/
Here's what I did when I daily-drove the car.
All parts I used are OEM direct-fit or genuine Mercedes parts:
NEW

• Spark plugs
• Ignition Wires
• Ignition Coil
• Distributor Rotor
• Distributor Cap
• New valve cover gasket
• New oil pan gasket
• Rebuilt the camshaft driven vacuum pump for the power brakes
• Replaced lower control arm bushings
• Replaced rear-shocks
• New rubber brake lines, one new steel line to driver-front caliper from master cylinder
• New tires (though they will have to be replaced after sitting for so long)

After the car sat for five years, I recently was able to tend to it to prep it for sale.
This is what I did within the last several months:

• New water pump + gaskets
• New air filter
• Renewed major coolant lines
• Renewed rubber fuel lines
• New thermostat, renewed gaskets

Car starts up immediately and runs, trans still shifts well.
THE BAD: Because the car sat for five years in my dad's lawn, the body has developed some more cancer, mainly at the passenger side front jack point. When I tried raising the car in the woods the jack went through the floor...and I cried a little inside. That's the worst extent of the rust, otherwise there's some in the wheel wells (typical) and most of the other rust is surface. Except for the passenger foot board, all other foot wells are solid. Trunk drain wells are also rock solid, another irony since this is a major rust spot on W116s.
I want to sell it to someone who will continue that journey and complete it so I can focus on my 450SEL. Any questions, please PM me. I am open to offers, so make me one! If you're local, I'd even be willing to be a helping hand. I just want to see this car like new.
Pics and video below. CAR SOLD AS IS, NO WARRANTY, BUYER RESPONSIBLE FOR LOCAL PICKUP. Car is not road-worthy. Title ready and in-hand for transfer. If you are from afar please plan to arrange for shipping.
Recent start-up and walkaround of the car
Old videos from when I daily drove the car ----------------------------

Under the hood
Interior:

Interior Footwells
Driver (GOOD)
Passenger Front (BAD)
Rear Passenger (GOOD)
Rear Driver
Spare Wheel Well (Wheel will be included, with original spare)
Passenger Trunk Gutter (GOOD)
Driver Trunk Gutter (GOOD)
Coolant Return Line and others replacement, fuel line, and new water pump pictured (not pictured, lower radiator line replacement)