1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 Series

Mercedes-Benz produced the W108 and W109 luxury cars from 1965 through 1972 and 1973 in North American only. They were an update of the predecessor W111 and W112 fintail saloon. The fins of the predecessor W111 cars were removed and the overall appearance became smoother and more sophisticated. The W108 models were the 280S and 280SE, with production beginning in November of 1967. They served as a replacement for the 250S, 250SE, and 300SE (production of the export-designated 250S would continue through March of 1969). The Mercedes-Benz 280SEL was added to the lineup in January of 1968. It rested on the longer wheelbase platform of the W109, but without the problematic and expensive pneumatic suspension of other features of the 300SEL.

These Mercedes-Benz cars were large comfortable sports saloons that offered luxurious interiors and powerful touring capabilities. They rested on a 108-inch wheelbase and were much heavier than earlier models. The styling was modern with stacked headlights which were popular during the period. The 280 was powered by a 2.8-liter straight-six engine, and confusingly the 280SE was powered by a V8. The V8 was made available in 1970 and by 1971, displacement had raised to 4.5-liters. The 2880 SE 3.5 was fitted with a 3.5-liter, V8 engine that could be fitted to either an automatic or manual transmission. Its engine propelled the car to a top speed of 125 mph and provided effortless high speed cruising with supple ride comfort. The 4.5-liter overhead cam engine had 230 horsepower and 278 lbs-ft of torque. The engine had a cast-iron block and aluminum-alloy cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft. It had Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorized ignition.

Worldwide sales of the W108 reached nearly 383,000, with the 280SE 4.5 accounting for fewer than 14,000 of those sales. These were the last team-built cars at Daimler-Benz, aside from the current AMG variants. The 280 SEL 4.5 achieved fewer than 22,000 sales. The 'SEL' versions were built on the longer (112.2-inch) wheelbase.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019