1970 MERCEDES 280SE

Rare manual gearbox is a welcome point of engagement for this long-striding cruiser with its rasping straight-six.

Manual transmission and factory sunroof might just make this Merc W108 saloon unique in New Zealand. Until the owner of seven years drove it home from Napier, with a paltry 60,000 miles on the clock, the car had spent almost all its life in dry-weather climates and had only previously changed hands twice. It was first registered in the South Island at the beginning of 1972, despite being manufactured in 1970. Blame the lag on the tax-efficient tourist delivery scheme of the time.

The outstanding condition is in keeping with the unusually low mileage. There’s an almost factory freshness to the cowling, dashboard wood and perfect-fitting glovebox lid. Likewise, the gearlever with its imprinted shift pattern is in terrific shape and the fascia of the original Blaupunkt radio has not faded. Despite being a manual car, a tachometer is absent from the instrument binnacle. Instead, a small clock is centrally mounted and flanked by a large speedometer and an equal-sized display for fuel and oil readings.

Some years ago the car was resprayed in the original Tobacco Brown colour that was a popular choice for Mercedes of this era, and the original black carpeting has been replaced with a lush cream weave that is in keeping with the rest of the restful interior. But the plump seats are original and still full of support, and the expansive glasshouse treats driver and passengers to outstanding outward views as the landscape rolls by. Open that expansive sunroof and you’re treated to an appealing rasp from the stainless steel exhaust as the characterful engine holds a gear and dispatches another hill. SE badging for the straight-six means fuel injection in place of Zenith carbs, and the generation of 20 more horses.

Gearchanges are slow with plenty of travel in the shifts. However it’s an all-synchro ’box that’s pleasant to engage with and the deliberate changes are fitting for a relaxed classic cruiser that takes to open Kiwi roads with long-striding fluency.

CATEGORY RELATED
READ ALL
1970 MERCEDES 280SE

YEARS PRODUCED 1968-72

ENGINE 2778cc straight-six

POWER 118kW (158bhp)

TORQUE 240Nm@4250rpm

TRANSMISSION 4-spd man, RWD

WEIGHT 1495kg

LENGTH 4.72m

WHEELS 14-inch steel

COLOUR Tobacco Brown

UPHOLSTERY Cream vinyl

MILEAGE 71,000 miles

OWNER Saeed Toulou

RELATED POSTS

MERCEDES 280SLC

Scott’s four-seater SLC is from a time when entry-level Mercs had a straight-six and manual ’box.

MERCEDES 220S CABRIOLET

Since arriving in NZ in the late 1980s, Ken’s rare cabrio has been a celebrated sight on the classic Merc landscape.

MERCEDES 300E-24V (3)

NZ-spec W124s all had an upmarket air about them but not the aura of this special-order Sportline.

MERCEDES-BENZ 300E-24V

Transformed by Sportline tweaks and smart options, our old-school favourite makes a statement of intent.

MORE CAR PEOPLE

KARMANN GHIA

This wind-cheating coupe is 60 years young, thanks to four decades in the hands of Michael, its diligent architect owner.

FORD MUSTANG FASTBACK

After eight years in his hands, Ray from Lower Hutt remains smitten with his Screaming Yellow steed.

DATSUN 120Y COUPE

After a happy honeymoon, Datsun owner Brett is still taken with his 120Y. But he wants a second carb under the hood.

PORSCHE 911T

Dave’s narrow-bodied 911T gives him an authentic 911 experience and the power to embarrass modern sportscars.