The 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE is an underrated classic that somehow flies under the radar
- This Mercedes-Benz 280SE is quite rare
- Only 1,232 were built
- This variant spawned two different models that went on to become best-sellers
Published on Jul 22, 2024 at 6:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 31, 2024 at 7:04 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
The 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE is – to an extent – relatively underrated.
Collectors are after a long list of Mercedes classics, but the 280SE doesn’t always get the credit it deserves, which is a shame.
This one, in mint condition, is available from SBX Cars and it’s a rare one.
DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie
We should also point out that the car world looked very different when the 280SE was built, and Mercedes was a different brand.
Back then, Mercedes hadn’t fully started using the ‘Class’ nomenclature.
The car ‘fathered’ two best-selling models
The Mercedes-Benz 280SE spawned two extremely successful models.
This particular model was used as a (spiritual) platform to develop two different types of vehicles.
The convertible variant was succeeded by the Mercedes-Benz C107, which – in turn – was replaced with the R129, which is what we know today as the SL, and the C126, which was the great-grandfather of the C-Class.
This Mercedes-Benz 280SE is a rare classic in excellent condition
This Mercedes-Benz 280SE is located in Hungary, and it was fully restored in 2023.
It is now in excellent condition, powered by a 3.5-liter V8, and finished in a great shade of dark blue with a matching interior.
The soft top is also blue, but all of that blue is nicely offset by the wood paneling for the cabin.
The car only has 400 kilometers (250 miles) shown on the odometer, and it is also quite rare.
For this particular version, Mercedes only built 1,232 examples in total.
This one is available from SBX Cars, and the auction ends on July 31st.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
