1971 Mercedes-Benz 200-Series

Sedan

Inline 2.8 Liter Six Cylinder

Automatic

10801812067284

Clear

Gasoline

1971 Mercedes Benz 280 SE Sedan VIN: 10801812067284 One owner for the past 33 years Back in 1981 I as a university student with a young family trying to just get by running a small business and straining to finish school. Like today, the economy was then in the tank, unemployment was rising, inflation was sky-high with interest rates well into double digits. A friend suggested pooling our meager resources to buy some gold or silver as a hedge. We contacted Craig Rhyne, a well-known local broker here in Seattle and bought some silver bullion just as the price began to skyrocket – anyone else remember the infamous Hunt Brothers play trying to corner the world silver market? We watched our seven dollar per ounce investment jump to fifty Dollars per ounce in only a few weeks and we were rich! (relatively speaking). Mr. Rhyne called shortly thereafter strongly suggesting we “get out” of our silver as the market was about to turn. We did so and he was absolutely right! It dropped back down to what we had originally paid in just days. I’ve never forgotten the great favor he did us by that call. Why have I included this story in the listing? To show that Karma truly does come around! A few weeks ago I encountered Mr. Rhyne again after three decades. He has owned this Mercedes for 33 years but needed to sell quickly for personal reasons. It was a very emotional parting for him when the car drove away to be made ready for this auction. Those of you that follow my Ebay listings know that we acquire and sell dozens of quality vintage Benz’s each year and I’m very happy to help balance the ledger by presenting his nice car to you through this venue! What you see here in my un-retouched photos is a remarkably nice European boulevard cruiser. If you have questions or would like to inspect the Mercedes before the auction ends, please call me to set a meeting time at our Auburn, WA warehouse. My name is Mark Thompson and my direct number is (206) 914-1173. CONDITION: On modern roads, surrounded by modern cars, a W108 bodied Mercedes is something of an enigma. It's that rarest of beasts - a big, mature sedan that simply doesn't feel that old. The light, stiff doors shut with an endlessly solid, safe-like whonk that echoes a little through the interior. The 2.8 liter fuel-injected straight six lights off after a moment of cranking and then settles down to a smooth, even idle. Knobs and latches feel heavy and substantial; the dash-mounted, key-shaped headlight switch chunks into position like a household circuit breaker. The stark interior is an exercise in restraint, a sparse combination of short-loop German carpet, thin pillars, and unapologetically simple, well-trimmed real wood surfaces. It's an odd reminder that the word "luxury" once meant something very different to Europeans - it was more of a mind-set about build quality than an endless supply of deep-pile carpet and butt-massaging seats! Little has been changed since Mr. Rhyne bought the vehicle back in the late 1970’s. Today the odometer reads 80,783 (I don’t know what the actual miles are as it is a five-digit counter). My un-retouched photos really do tell the car’s story. The exterior is in remarkably nice, minty condition. Though it has had a re-spray, the smooth maroon paint holds quite a shine. A quick glance and you’ll see all the glass is good with the exception of a small windscreen chip. I’ve made no attempt to update the remarkably decent stock engine compartment. Rust? Please, this Benz hates body rust and you’d be hard pressed to find anything here to worry about. Yes, the Puget Sound area is famous for rain, but our winter roads aren’t salted. At most we’ll only have one or two days of light snow each year and then everyone panics and just stays home. Climb over, under and throughout this car – I know you’ll come up smiling! Please look again at the interior pictures. You’ll find nearly untouched, original German upholstery here. I’m quite impressed with the condition of the dash gauges, too. They seem as clear and bright as the day this rig left the plant more than four decades ago! The radio was upgraded twenty-five years ago with two vintage heatsink amps mounted in the trunk. The glove box contains the original factory owner’s manual and some maintenance records dating as far back as the 1980’s. The headliner is intact, clean and decent. The carpets are passable and will arrive covered by new custom-fitted floor mats (Not the mis-matched ones you see in the photos). These W108 Body Mercedes were well-known for their interior wood trim. Here, the pieces surrounding the windows look almost factory new. Some of the dash sections have been re-finished but, while very passable, aren’t as pristine as the rest. PLEASE BID WITH CONFIDENCE and know that you are buying a nice car from a respected Ebay seller. I want you to be happy with your purchase (and with me) and that’s the main goal! Please don’t be upset if I miss minor flaws or you’re required to spend some amount on an unforeseen problem! No vintage used vehicle is ever perfect. With that said here are the items I’ve found that might require a bit of attention: All the electric window lifts are functioning well, but the driver’s window sticks a bit and can be difficult to raise. The A/C hasn’t been serviced or updated but seems to blow moderately cool air. A seam on the driver’s headrest has worked loose and needs re-stitching. Re-chroming the left section of the rear bumper is in order as the top surface has corroded. Most unusual, see the photos. If you’re old enough to remember the gas shortages and lines of the late 1970’s you’ll understand why a large second fuel tank was added to the trunk, just behind the rear seat. It appears tight and has a closed petcock valve keeping anything in there from reaching the fuel lines. I’d suggest a good flushing before putting it back in service as a reserve. The 195/75R14 Michelin X radials appear to be about 50-60% remaining tread. Note: We will NEVER, EVER “shill” or falsely "bump-up" an auction (a violation of eBay rules and also Federal Law). Because of the amount of money involved in buying a vehicle, we require Ebay members with a feedback history of five or fewer transactions or ANY negative feedback to call or email BEFORE placing a bid. If I don’t have this initial contact, your bids may be cancelled. The phone number to speak directly with me, as outlined above, is 206/914-1173. Please feel free to call any time during the auction. My name is MARK THOMPSON. TERMS OF SALE: You’re encouraged to check the photos over closely and call me with any questions before bidding! Come by and drive the Mercedes at my Auburn, WA warehouse if you’re in the area. DEALERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO BID AS WELL! Additionally, I reserve the right to end the auction early if the car is no longer for sale or an acceptable offer has been agreed upon. A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 24 hours of the auction’s end if you’re the winning bidder. The remaining balance is due by cash or certified funds within seven days unless prior arrangements have been made with us. Remember, you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winner to fulfill their Ebay contract! You are not bidding to hold, inspect or then come test-drive the Benz later as you’re more than welcome to do this before the auction ends. If you decide to have the car shipped home, there are numerous vehicle transport companies to choose from. We ship vehicles regularly and I'd suggest that you get a transport bid from both Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS is the largest in the business) at 800/830-1787 and also from www.U-ship.com. The zip code for pick-up would be 98002 (Auburn, WA) to get an instant on-line quote. The shipping of the Benz and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER. Please be sure you inquire with your shipper for information regarding insurance coverage on the vehicles they transport. I’m always happy to store your purchase free of charge at my location for up to two weeks after the auction ends assuming full payment has been made. After this period a storage fee of $15/day will apply. A Few Additional Terms and Requirements: The buyer will be responsible for meeting the licensing requirements in their own state. If you live here in Washington we'll need to collect the 9.5% sales tax, title prep, transfer and registration fees. Because the car idadvertised and for sale locally, I reserve the right to cancel this auction early if it's no longer available for sale. Mercedes is being sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty expressed or implied. All information described above is based on the observed condition when the listing was placed. I've done my very best to describe the vehicle as honestly and completely as possible. A third party inspection is always welcomed and encouraged if you aren’t able to do so yourself. The State of Washington shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all disputes. Venue shall be exclusively in King County. The final contract signed between both buyer and seller shall be binding. The final signed contract and terms thereof shall govern the sale. All disputes arising out of or relating to this auction, any negotiations, the signed agreement, or to the breach, enforcement or interpretation thereof, shall be resolved by binding arbitration in Washington, in accordance with the terms contained in the final sale agreement and under the laws of the State of Washington. Whew! Don’t you just love legalese?