1975 Mercedes-Benz 280

Mercedes-Benz introduced the mid-size W114 and W115 series in 1968, succeeding the W110 models that were introduced in 1961. Manufacturing would continue through 1976 when it was replaced by the W123. The W123 was produced from November 1975 to January of 1986 and it would become the most successful Mercedes, selling 2.7 million examples before production ended in the autumn of 1985 for the saloon (sedan) and January 1986 for the coupes and estates (station wagons).

The styling was courtesy of Paul Bracq and was similar to its larger sibling, the W116. They had front turn signal indicators on the outer edge, horizontal headlamps, pull-to-open door handles, and wide ribbed taillights. Except for the coupe, 280, and 280 had larger round headlamps with smaller round fog lamps with large glass plate covering the entire headlamp housing. The coupe, 280, and 280 E models had rectangular headlamps with round fog lamps.

Their nameplates within the marketplace eluded to their engine size. A 'C' represented Coupe, a 'T' for Tourismus und Transport (estate/station wagon), 'D' for Diesel and 'E' for Einspritzung (fuel injection). Much of the mechanical sophistication was similar to its predecessors including engines, suspension system, and steering system.

The engine powering the 280 was an inline six-cylinder unit with dual overhead camshafts and a 2,746cc displacement size. It had a cast-iron block, aluminum head, solid valve lifter, seven main bearings, and 8.0:1 compression. With a single Solex four-barrel carburetor, it produced 120 bhp at 4,800 RPM. The engine was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and stopping power was via disc brakes.

A 280S four-door sedan arrived in the U.S. market for 1975 and while the 280 used a 108.3-inch wheelbase platform, the 280 S rested atop a 112.2-inch wheelbase. The 1975 280C listed at approximately $13,500 and the 280S sedan at $15,055.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022