This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL was sold new in California and retains its California black license plates. It was purchased by the seller in 2021 and subsequently received a mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment. Work included stripping the body to bare metal, repairing rust, and repainting the exterior black. The carpets and interior wood trim were replaced, and sound insulation, power windows, electric door locks, and modern air conditioning were installed. Additional modifications include 18″ basketweave-style wheels, an Apple CarPlay display, and an aftermarket tachometer. Power is provided by a 2.8-liter M130 inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The car is equipped with power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes and power steering. This W108 sedan is offered with historical registration records, removed 14″ steel wheels, spare parts, manufacturer’s literature, service records, and a California title in the seller’s name.
Factory-finished in Anthracite Grey Metallic (172), the body was stripped to bare metal, repaired for rust, and repainted black under current ownership. Exterior details include halogen headlights, driving lights, a driver-side mirror, and dual exhaust outlets. Polished trim accents the window frames, body sides, and rechromed front and rear bumpers, and dual chrome Bosch horns are positioned behind the rechromed front radiator grille. The exterior moldings, weatherstripping, seals, and taillight lenses were replaced. There is a crack in the windshield.
Aftermarket 18″ basketweave wheels wear Mercedes-Benz center caps. They are mounted with 235/40 Kumho tires up front and 235/40 Michelin Primacy MXM4 tires out back. Braking is handled by power-assisted discs at all four corners. The brake booster check valve was replaced in 2022, and the front and rear brake pads and brake fluid were replaced in 2024. A set of 14″ steel wheels with color-matched and rechromed covers is included in the sale, and photos showing the car fitted with them can be viewed in the gallery.
The cabin was trimmed from the factory in red leather (242) and the seats have been reupholstered in dark red leather with perforated inserts. The carpeting was replaced with dark red velour, sound-deadening insulation was installed on the floors, and a 26-piece 300SEL-style wood trim conversion was installed, including the dashboard, windshield and window surrounds, upper door panels, glovebox, and ashtray. The headliner, sun visors, and mounting clips were replaced, and a custom wood shift knob was fitted. Amenities include an air-conditioning system retrofitted with a rotary compressor and R134a refrigerant, a custom power-window conversion, a four-door electric locking system, an integrated garage-door opener, and RetroBelt retractable front seatbelts along with replacement rear belts. A console pod houses an Apple CarPlay floating display wired to an amplifier and kick-panel speakers.
The two-spoke steering wheel has a chrome horn ring and fronts VDO instrumentation. Gauges include a 140-mph speedometer, an aftermarket tachometer installed in place of the factory clock, and auxiliary readouts for coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 33k miles, approximately 2,600 of which were added under current ownership.
The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six is equipped with Bosch mechanical fuel injection. Service in May 2024 included changing the oil and filter, adjusting the ignition and fuel systems, servicing the cold-start system, and refinishing the engine bay and air cleaner housing. The battery was replaced in 2026.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission, and the underbody was coated in 2024.
A data card, factory owner’s manuals, a Becker radio warranty card, build invoices, parts receipts, historical registration records, service records from current ownership, and spare parts accompany the vehicle.