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1 owner 23,000 miles!! Fantastic 280 SEL 4.5 in amazing "as new" condition

Price: Ask a price!
Location: Crystal Lake, Illinois, United States
Condition: Used
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: S-Class
SubModel: W108 long Wheel Base
Type: Sedan
Trim: 280 SEL 4.5
Year: 1972
Mileage: 23,600
VIN: W10806812011693
Color: Tobacco Brown
Engine size: 4.2 litre Mercedes V8
Number of cylinders: 8
Power options: Air Conditioning, Power Locks, Power Windows
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Cognac leather
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Options: Cassette Player, Leather Seats, Sunroof
Vehicle Title: Clear

1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class 280 SEL 4.5 Description

Mercedes

280 SEL 4.5

W108

1972

Incredible condition "barn find" ~

Possibly the best 280 SEL 4.5 available for sale today!

This is an amazing and simply gorgeous condition Mercedes 280 SEL 4.5 that sat in professional storage for the last 22 years. She shows a very believable 23,600 miles!

Finished in Tobacco Brown with beautiful Cognac leather interior there is virtually nothing on this example that is not simply immaculate. The best way to describe this 108 sedan is to pretend you are in 1975 and you are buying a well-kept certified 1972 Mercedes from the authorised dealer.

Even though this was an Illinois car its whole life, the underside of the car is clean as a whistle. Absolutely without a spec of rust anywhere.

The car is a true 1 owner from new. It was ordered here in the US under German delivery and driven for 6 months on vacation before shipping to the US. It was ordered with every single available option including tape deck and the "SL" steering wheel was fitted upon deliver at the German dealer. Back here in the US it was used it in clear, warm weather only. When the car arrived on American soil, she was fully Ziebarted which has kept her clean.

When we got the car, we flushed out the fuel tank, fitted a new fuel pump, put in all new filters rebuilt the fuel distributor and fitted brand new injectors. She fired up and has purred ever since. We are assuming this may have been the reason the car was originally "parked" but we cannot be sure. From the moment we started her, everything worked. Even the A/C started blowing cold air! We went right thru the car, updating all services. Everything works as it should and as pictures show, is in immaculate presentation. Mechanically the car is fantastic with no known issues. Just a quick look under the hood is testament to how well this Mercedes was maintained.

We are yet to fit the new heater slide controls which have crumbled as they usually do. Outside of this, every single feature and function works as it should; electric windows, door locks, antenna, original Becker radio, A/C, heater, interior and exterior lights, horn.... the complete list.

Body and paint is excellent. The paint is entirely original without one panel ever having been repainted. This is very evident in the close up pictures where you can see the Mercedes Benz signature "orange peel" in the paint. Very shiny and consistent with hardly any blemishes throughout ~ with the exception of notable stone chips at the front panels each side of the grill. We were going to repaint these but figured a purist buyer would prefer to see 100% original paint. The wheels and hubcaps are all original and also never repainted.

The interior is an equally stunning aspect of the car with the Cognac leather interior close to perfect. She is in virtually as-new condition with no wear on the seats, carpets or headliner. The leather is like a 2-3 year old example; hardly showing any wear on the signature Cognac leather red "overprint" on the ochre hide. Look at the many close-up photos taken where this finish is truly like new. Almost impossible to find this these days and reproduction Cognac leather just doesn't look the same. So original is everything that we did not even need to replace the seat springs. These are all original and in good shape. The dash is excellent without a single crack in the dash pad. The dash wood is beautiful without any fading, lifting or peeling albeit with a few minor hairline cracks (I reiterate "MINOR"). The wood around the base of the front windshield and window surrounds is simply superb. Have a close look at the buttons and switch gear; they look like human hands have never touched them. Simply amazing. She is also appears to be a non-smoker car so clean and sweet. The headliner is excellent and the rear parcel shelf without any sign of sun-fading. All these things are a great testament to its low miles.

So original is the car, the tyres are the original factory fitment Michelin X whitewalls. The one in the trunk is brand new and never fitted to the car. These are amazing in their own right and look great for showing. Although acceptable for potting around, but if you are planning to "drive across the country", you would be strongly urged to put a new set on as these are at the same age of the car!!

Not much more can be said but to invite you to take a close look at the many, many photos of this great Mercedes 280 SEL 4.5. Truly an immaculate example, I am sure you will agree. Surely amongst one of the better examples available for sale today. A fantastic low-cost luxury driver.
*Photos of trunk and underside to be posted shortly.

This 280 SEL 4.5 is a stunning example of the W108 model. One of the best years for this model, great condition and the perfect colour combination for a Mercedes collection!

Please click on this link below to see many additional photos. They are all in high resolution so you can zoom in and see everything in detail right down to the slightest imperfections.
Click HERE to see many more additional photos!

Click HERE to see many more additional photos!

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This Mercedes is part of a private collection. I am not a broker or retail-style car dealer; although licensed, I am a professional car collector of some30 years with considerable experience and knowledge of British and European Cars. I have a long standing reputation being associated with Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor cars which I take seriously.I take a lot of pride in my cars and have fun in collecting and restoring them.However, auctions are not a game so when you place a bid or offer, and you are the winning bidder, please understand you have entered a binding contract.You cannot bid and win the auction and expect not to meet the terms and conditions. Bidding and/or winning does not mean you are expecting me to “hold” the car until you have the opportunity to inspect it. Any inspection contemplated should be undertaken BEFORE you bid or make an offer and I openly welcome any potential buyer to come and personally inspect the car. Once you bid ormake an offer, you are doing so to buy WITHOUT conditions. A $2,000.00 deposit (non-refundable) is required within 24 hours of the close of the auction and payable by PayPal.The balance of funds are required within 7 days of the close of the auction and must be provided by cashier’s check or bank wire.I cannot accept PayPal for the balance unless you are willing to meet the cost of transfer fees. Full payment must be made (and payments cleared) before the title and/or the vehicle is released. All payments are non-refundable. Payments as described above form an important part of this purchase contract and so, if all the funds are not received as outlined above, I reserve the right to terminate the transaction without notice. If there has been any deposit or other part payments received and I elect to terminate the contract, I reserve the right to keep any such deposits or payments and resell the vehicle to another bidder or interested party or re-list the vehicle at any time. I am happy to assist with shipping arrangements on a national and worldwide basis but the winning bidder takes full responsibility for pickup and/or shipping and at his cost.
As a collector and experienced restorer of classic cars, I make every effort to bring my cars to a very high standard. Unless specifically stated, the car is not of show standard but of good quality "driver" condition. Please understand, the very nature of these classics is such that it is not always possible to attend to every single item, or perhaps I may have inadvertently overlooked an item. Please note, fitted radio/stereo systems are usually subject to upgrade by purchasers so I do not ensure operation of these. Further, a feature or function that is working perfectly one moment, may decide to play-up the next. After all, it is some 45 years old. For this reason it is necessary for the following condition:
The vehicle is being sold "as-is/where-is"with no warranty expressed, written or implied.Any descriptions or representations are made with reasonable judgment and all efforts are made to ensure fair assessment andaccuracy but they are for descriptive and identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. The seller shall not be responsible forerrors in description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, unforeseen imperfection, defect or damage.It is the responsibility of the buyer to have satisfied himself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely.The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects at the buyer’s request prior to the close of the auction. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.Being a classic car in excess of 10 years of age, in most US states, the mileage may be recorded as “exempt”. In this regard the seller makes no warranties as to the accuracy of the mileage indicated or shown. I can hold the vehicle up to 30 days while you arrange shipping but you must immediately insure it. I will not bear any responsibility for any additional costs including storage, transportation, or repair after the close of the auction. Whereas I am happy to store the car in excess of 30 days from auction end, a cost of $35 per day shall apply beyond 30 days of auction end.

PLEASE; IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ABIDE BY THESE TERMS, REFRAIN FROM BIDDING AS, RESPECTFULLY, THERE CAN BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

~~oo00oo~~