No Reserve! 1974 Mercedes-Benz 280C
Mercedes-Benz introduced the W114/115 as a replacement for its “Fintail” series in 1968 and subsequently manufactured a veritable tide of these handsome sedans. Almost 2 million were sold over nine years of production. With sheet metal designed by Paul Bracq – one of the last works he executed for Mercedes before moving back to France – the new series retained elements of the Fintail’s curved lines. Bracq’s characteristic approach is also seen in the stacked, arched headlights, reminiscent of the Pagoda series. The W114’s successor was blocky and severe in comparison. Aside from the vintage elegance of this example, it’s a coupe – probably the rarest and most desirable of body styles. Is this model approaching collectability? After years of underappreciation, I think its day has come.
The 114s are propelled by six-cylinder engines; the 115s utilize Mercedes’ robust M115 four-cylinder. Mercedes’ nomenclature conforms to engine displacement – in this case, we have a range-topping 2.8-liter six-cylinder, paired with a four-speed automatic. The W114’s evolution away from the Fintail included a new suspension, with semi-trailing arms behind and ball joint/unequal-length A-arms up front. The big sedan weighs 3400 lbs so performance is stately rather than sparkling: sixty mph comes around in 10 seconds give or take, and top speed is 115 mph. This one’s odometer reads 42,000 miles. The seller says the car runs, rides, and shifts as it should. I could wish for a black-topped battery – gee whiz! – and I’d probably spend a minute or two cleaning the engine bay.
The interior is aging, with a warped dash, wrinkling in the driver’s seat back, and cracks developing in the wood trim. The seller reports that the Becker Europa radio and the hood ornament are missing, but all lights, gauges, and even the sunroof work as they should. A spot of rust mars the driver’s front quarter, but the undercarriage and trunk floor are clean.
An owner’s manual and a few other bits of original documentation accompany the sale. This car is listed here on eBay, in a no-reserve auction. It is bid to $12,200, and the new owner will retrieve it from Grand Junction, Colorado. We can complain about the rust, the dash, and the fact that just one year earlier the bumpers were a lot more attractive, but this is a fair price for a swanky sedan that’s gaining in popularity. Asking prices for better examples are over twice the current bid; this 280C sold a year ago for $20k and values have risen since then. If you’re searching for a stylish 1970s sedan, this one is worth a look.
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Comments
I remember when I was a young man I bought a dark brown 280c. It looked great at first but then the I discovered the body had so much bondo that I doubt it would set off a metal detector! Learned the hard way not to take anybody’s word for anything!
I agree this one is definitely worth the time to look at ,if your in the market for a vintage Mercedes!
I had a 72. The car was a beast but very prone to rust.
In the mid-80’s I was a contract driver for a wholesale dealer in Texas who specialized in Mercedes Benz and would buy any up-scale autos that had a decent profit margin. I had delivered a 300D (his bread and butter, probably half of the cars I drove were 300D’s) to Louisville Ky, and the dealer there had a year old Porsche 911 Cabriolet that my boss bought off of him and immediately resold in Ohio. Boss says “if you can get there before they close, you can catch a plane out and sleep in your own bed tonight”, officially telling me to turn up the wick.
Running up 71, I decided to turn the portable CB radio up, put the Escort on “High Boogie” and air out the 911. I engaged the cruise control a little under 120 and went to work. I noticed a car about a quarter mile behind, keeping up but not overtaking. Sure enough about half way to Columbus the CB radio started hollering about a cop three or four miles up, and I dropped down to the legal 55. The car behind me caught up, and pulled beside me. It was a 280C the same color as this car. The driver rolls down his window and yells, “please don’t go any faster, my car is topped out!” Just at that moment, the Escort went off and around the bend going south was a State Police car. And what does he see? A current M-B and Porsche driving side by side at exactly 55mph. He flopped around and followed us for probably 10 miles, but no red lights. Then, off we went, this time at 100 on cruise control in the 911. These cars were very desirable then, as grey market cars they were a lot more affordable, and IIRC weren’t available in the US market.
Rufus, I also did some car shaggy back then, Jags, Mercedes, Corvettes, Porches, some British stuff, great times, we could share many stories over a couple of beers. I wish I could find a gig like that now. I wouldn’t have to work as hard getting out of tickets. They would look at the age on my licence and I would get a free pass or go directly to jail.