Lot 296 - 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupé (3.5 litre, V8)

In excellent condition and exceptionally well-presented following a two-year programme of thorough and authentic refurbishment, this pillarless 1970 280 SE 3.5 Coupé represents the last of the hand-built Mercedes-Benz motor cars and the ultimate version of the W111 model.

One of only 245 righthand drive examples manufactured over a period of 24 months, this 3.5 litre model was one of the most exclusive, best-built and most expensive cars in the world. The W111 chassis combined with the 3499cc V8 power plant and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection produced a formidable 200bhp at 5800rpm. Combined with a four-speed automatic gearbox and power steering as standard, it also gave tractability in town, torque-laden acceleration, precise handling, serene fast cruising and top speed of 132mph.

This 280 SE 3.5 Coupé features a full specification with electric sunroof, floormounted ‘Pagoda’ style gear selector, electric windows, centre armrests, headrests, tinted & heated rear windscreen and a period Becker radio. The classic Mercedes-Benz combination of silver paintwork (DB 180) and black leather interior, burr walnut fascia and chrome details throughout the cabin. Its matching numbers and conformity to the Stuttgart factory build sheet in every detail is testament to the value of originality, patina, gentle usage and regular servicing throughout this car's life, followed by an extremely sensitive and costly refurbishment.

XAE 705H was first registered on 22nd May 1970 and has had just two previous owners. It changed hands in 1986 after the first owner, a company director, had enjoyed 71,526 miles, almost exclusively accumulated travelling with his wife between the Midlands and their seaside second home in St Ives, Cornwall. The sale was arranged by Mercedes specialist John Lewis, of Parson's Green, West London. Over the next 29 years, the new owner, the CEO of a banking group, used the car between his homes in Wiltshire and Belgravia. Always garaged and given light but regular use up until 2007 when the car was mothballed, it was acquired privately in 2015 and underwent a painstaking refurbishment.

A full mechanical overhaul by a marque expert has been carried out prior to restoration of the bodywork which included all new rubbers, light lenses and new Michelin tyres. There followed a high quality bare metal repaint and the car retains its excellent shut lines and gaps throughout. The chrome work was carefully removed and re-plated. The leather and door cards are original except for the outer panels on the driver's seat which have been sympathetically replaced.

In November 1982, the odometer developed a fault and was replaced at 68,000 miles with a new unit which now reads 47,000 miles. The speedometer change is fully documented in a letter from the garage to the owner. Included with the sale are three large files with a photographic record of the restoration and a copy of every invoice. Also supplied are the V5C registration document, a current MOT test certificate which expires in September 2018 and the original handbook wallet. The annual mileages are corroborated by a near-continuous list of MOT certificates from 1984 together with service records dating back to the change of ownership in 1986.