This 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5 sedan is said to have been ordered new in 1970 by Seldon Loring, the sales manager at Foreign Motors of Boston, Massachusetts, and picked up in Germany via the automaker’s European delivery program in 1971 by him and his family before being shipped to the US. Chassis 004582 was purchased in 1972 by its first private owner, with whom it remained until 2010, when it was sold back to Mr. Loring at Foreign Motors. Following service by Paul Russell and Company of Essex, Massachusetts, commissioned by the second owner, the car was sold to a client of Bruce Canepa in 2016 and later underwent over $75k of mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment work in 2024 at Canepa in Scotts Valley, California, prior to being acquired by the current owner later that year. Refinished in Astral Silver Metallic over Dark Blue leather, it is powered by a 4.5L V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission and is further equipped with Bosch fuel injection, a Webasto sunroof, a Becker stereo, and Thermo King air conditioning. Previously listed on BaT in July 2026, this W108 280SEL 4.5 sedan now shows 60k miles and is offered on dealer consignment in California with a copy of its datenkarte, refurbishment records from Canepa, and a clean Oregon title.
The W108/W109 series was introduced in 1965 as the successor to the W111/W112 “fintail” sedans, bringing updated styling and a revised range of inline-six and V8 engines. Finished from the factory in Black (040) and Midnight Blue (904), this 280SEL 4.5 example underwent a color change to its current Astral Silver Metallic (735) finish as part of the aforementioned refurbishment at Canepa in 2024.
The car was ordered new with an electric Webasto sunroof, green heat-insulating glass, and US-specification headlights. Additional exterior details include a hood ornament, a retractable antenna, a driver-side mirror, and chrome bumpers.
The 14″ steel wheels wear bright covers with body-color centers and were mounted with General Altimax RT45 tires in 2024. Power-assisted disc brakes were specified as standard, and the car was optioned with power steering.
The front seats and rear bench are upholstered in Dark Blue leather, and wood trim accents the dashboard. Additional appointments include Thermo King air conditioning and a Becker Europa AM/FM cassette stereo as well as central locking, a rear defroster, and power windows.
The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring, which sounds the factory equipped “Town & Country” two-tone horn. VDO instrumentation consists of a 160-mph speedometer, an analog clock, and gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 60k miles.
Factory rated at 198 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque, the 4.5-liter M117 V8 features Bosch fuel injection and mated to a three-speed automatic transmission.
The W108 suspension featured double wishbones up front, a single-joint swing axle setup out back, and coil springs at all four corners. The hydro-pneumatic rear compensator spring was replaced and Bilstein shocks were fitted as part of the refurbishment work.
The datenkarte reveals the following information:
- 040 – Black upper paint
- 904 – Midnight Blue lower paint
- 245 – Blue leather upholstery
- 246 – Heated rear window pane
- 410 – Electric sliding roof
- 452 – Two-tone horn
- 466 – Central locking system
- 491 – US Version
- 513 – Becker cassette stereo
- 524 – Paint coat protection preservation treatment
- 540 – Dual folding armrests with center console
- 570 – Folding front armrests
- 589 – Thermo King air conditioning and power windows
- 595 – Green heat-insulating glass
- 630 – Radial tires
- 669 – Special mode of packing/shipping
A composite image of various identifying markings on the car is shown above. The son of the first private owner noted during the July 2026 auction that the car was stolen from The Mall at Chestnut Hill outside Newton, Massachusetts, in 1980 and subsequently fitted with replacement chassis and data plates. The reproduction chassis tag on the door jamb lists an October 1970 production date, though the car is believed to have been completed in August 1971. The engine block stamping—117.984-12-004754—matches the engine number listed on the datenkarte.