Focus on the Donut: "Grail" Things....1970 Mercedes Benz 280se

[mfj20th]

Gents
You all have been so gracious about my Focus on the donut posts.
I've updated the car quiver, and thought you might enjoy this recent post about my 1970 MB 280se
I really appreciate the stoke and support.
Peace,
MJ

http://www.focusonthedonut.com/2009/...e-convertible/

 

[DNW]

I'm jealous.

Got any hi-res pics?

 

[Wallcloud]

Just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

 

[zjpj83]

very cool car

 

[Baron]

Lovely car. I'd love to have one. One point, you call this the last of the great Mercedes, but I was under the impression that they were still incredibly built through the W123 that was sold until 1991 (though it started in 1979). Was there a change in manufacturing standard in the 70's that led to a decline? I've recently driven W123's with over 200K miles that looked and drove like new, and they were essentially original.

 

[Parker]

A friend has the saloon version. Brown with tan leather. It's beautiful.

Nice blog. Being a kid from coastal OC, I can relate.

 

[mfj20th]

Thx Parker....
Peace,
MJ

 

[mfj20th]

Baron
You may be right about build quality past 1970ish....My analysis is SOTP (seat of the pants) at best....Most of the mid-70' cars seem to lack the fit/finish build quality--the types of leather/wood/carpet detail...I'm a sucker for the 6.3 as well, and that's the next on my list---but, far away.
Peace,
Mj

 

[Cravate_Noire]

Originally Posted by Baron

Lovely car. I'd love to have one. One point, you call this the last of the great Mercedes, but I was under the impression that they were still incredibly built through the W123 that was sold until 1991 (though it started in 1979). Was there a change in manufacturing standard in the 70's that led to a decline? I've recently driven W123's with over 200K miles that looked and drove like new, and they were essentially original.

The parents of some friends of mine have a W116, the first Mercedes S-Class from the 70s.
It has something like 300 or 350k km and it still rides like new.

 

[Girardian]

Beautiful -- true art and elegance.

 

[Alias]

That is a great car. I wish I could see it in person.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by mfj20th

Baron You may be right about build quality past 1970ish....My analysis is SOTP (seat of the pants) at best....Most of the mid-70' cars seem to lack the fit/finish build quality--the types of leather/wood/carpet detail...I'm a sucker for the 6.3 as well, and that's the next on my list---but, far away. Peace, Mj
What about a 450SEL 6.9? I'm also partial to the quite rare but quite inexpensive 450SLC 5.0/500SLC. They are actually rarer than the coveted 300SL.

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

What about a 450SEL 6.9? I'm also partial to the quite rare but quite inexpensive 450SLC 5.0/500SLC. They are actually rarer than the coveted 300SL.
500SLC is one of my favorite MB models. I am also a big fan of the 560SEC.

 

[Gus]

I owned the 1970 280 SEL 4.5 in brown with tan interior. I bought it from the original owner in 1990 with 12K on the odometer (he owned 8 cars including a Pebble Beach winner). As nice as it was, it was only worth a fraction of the convertible. You got the right one!

 

[mfj20th]

Do u still have the 280?
I really love the 4.5's
Any pix....
Peace,
Mj

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

I owned the 1970 280 SEL 4.5 in brown with tan interior. I bought it from the original owner in 1990 with 12K on the odometer (he owned 8 cars including a Pebble Beach winner). As nice as it was, it was only worth a fraction of the convertible. You got the right one!