At the suggestion of motec 6.9 here is some pics of my W116. It is a 1974 280 SE with 106,426 kms. I am the third owner. The car was delivered new by Lanes Motors Melbourne on 22nd March 1974 on Victorian plates LVB-061 to a business named Jacka Sales P/L located in Pelham Street, Carlton in Melbourne. (Does anyone know of that business, looked it up but was de-listed some years ago??)
On 23rd March 1979 (End of a 5 year lease plus one day??) the car passed to the second owner, Ron S from Wheelers Hill Victoria through Lanes Motors again with 73,978 kms showing. Ron used the car sparingly as a second car, putting only a further 16,741 kms over the next 28 years taking the mileage to 90,719kms in 2007. He was very obsessive about it, in 1979, not long after purchase, he cleaned the underside and didn't drive the car in the rain again under his ownership. He won the MBCV annual concours with it that year. Despite its low annual mileage, he without fail, gave the car an annual service.
On 17th. July 2007 I purchased the car privately from Ron with 90,719kms. I set about a mild re-commissioning, replacing hoses and perished rubbers along with removal of the centre console due to the fact it had discoloured and I wished to re dye it. At this time, the centre console was repaired, it was damaged due to a ham fisted radio installation in 1979. The car was ready at the end of 2007 and I have used it regularly since then, the mileage today reading 106,426 kms. I don't drive it in the rain either!
I have been lucky in my 46 years and owned some interesting cars, but this car is very special to me. Apart from its condition, I have every service invoice from delivery including the original warranty card, pre-delivery check list, three keys, all the books, tools, receipts for everything even down to the batteries it's had. The best thing about it, is the car is not restored. It's had paint in 1991 up to the top of the doors but that's the only panel work its had. Just three sympathetic owners.
I had a good go at the MBCV annual concours in 2011 and was amazed the car won best car and best interior. I have no intention of entering it again, just enjoying it as it was intended, weather permitting.
Today I drove it to work, despite its 40 years and the 43 degree top temperature today, the air conditioning was cold and the coolant stayed put at 95 degrees. It's a remarkable car to drive even now, imagine what it must have been like in 1974?
Some pics....
On 23rd March 1979 (End of a 5 year lease plus one day??) the car passed to the second owner, Ron S from Wheelers Hill Victoria through Lanes Motors again with 73,978 kms showing. Ron used the car sparingly as a second car, putting only a further 16,741 kms over the next 28 years taking the mileage to 90,719kms in 2007. He was very obsessive about it, in 1979, not long after purchase, he cleaned the underside and didn't drive the car in the rain again under his ownership. He won the MBCV annual concours with it that year. Despite its low annual mileage, he without fail, gave the car an annual service.
On 17th. July 2007 I purchased the car privately from Ron with 90,719kms. I set about a mild re-commissioning, replacing hoses and perished rubbers along with removal of the centre console due to the fact it had discoloured and I wished to re dye it. At this time, the centre console was repaired, it was damaged due to a ham fisted radio installation in 1979. The car was ready at the end of 2007 and I have used it regularly since then, the mileage today reading 106,426 kms. I don't drive it in the rain either!
I have been lucky in my 46 years and owned some interesting cars, but this car is very special to me. Apart from its condition, I have every service invoice from delivery including the original warranty card, pre-delivery check list, three keys, all the books, tools, receipts for everything even down to the batteries it's had. The best thing about it, is the car is not restored. It's had paint in 1991 up to the top of the doors but that's the only panel work its had. Just three sympathetic owners.
I had a good go at the MBCV annual concours in 2011 and was amazed the car won best car and best interior. I have no intention of entering it again, just enjoying it as it was intended, weather permitting.
Today I drove it to work, despite its 40 years and the 43 degree top temperature today, the air conditioning was cold and the coolant stayed put at 95 degrees. It's a remarkable car to drive even now, imagine what it must have been like in 1974?
Some pics....
