This 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5 was sold new to its original owner in November 1971 and now shows 89k original miles. Finished in Tobacco Brown (423) over Bamboo Leather (249), power is provided by a 4.5-liter V8 mated to a three-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Equipment includes central locking, a Becker Mexico radio, automatic climate control with air-conditioning and electric power windows. Recent maintenance includes an oil change, raditor rebuild, and a leak addressed in the steering box. Previous records are included along with some original documentation. Included with the car is the original California blue license plate, the original manufacturer’s literature and the factory spare tire and jack. This 280SEL 4.5 is now offered for sale by the current owner in Granada Hills, California with a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The exterior is finished in Tobacco Brown (423) and features chrome bumpers, door handles and mirrors with chrome trim lining the windows and beltline. Exterior equipment includes central locking, heat-insulating glass with a heated rear pane and polished dual-exit exhaust tips. Minor imperfections have been documented by the seller including cracked paint, a dent in the front grille and damage to the front rubber bumper strip. No signs of body damage are present on the vehicle.
The factory 14” steel wheels wear polished chrome covers with paint-matched centers and have been fitted with a set of Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires measuring 195/75 on all four corners showing 2015 date codes. Scratches are visible in the finish of the paint-matched wheels. A spare tire is mounted in the trunk along with the factory jack. Four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes are standard equipment.
The cabin is upholstered in Bamboo Leather (249) with matching brown carpets and wood veneer which lines the dashboard and extends around the windows. The seller reports that the interior was previously reupholstered. A tear is visible on the driver-side door panel. Interior appointments include climate control with air-conditioning, a Becker Mexico radio and cassette player, a lockable glove compartment and power windows. The seller reports that the air conditioning is not working and is in need of a recharge. Interior imperfections include a missing sun visor clip, a cracked dash and a cracked steering wheel.
The two-spoke steering wheel frames a 160-mph speedometer along with an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature and oil pressure. The odometer currently shows 89k miles from new.
This W108 is powered by a fuel-injected 4.5-liter M117 V8 which is factory rated for 195 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. The seller reports a leak coming from the steering box. Recent maintenance includes an oil change, raditor rebuild, and a leak addressed in the steering box. Previous records are included along with some original documentation. Underbody photos provided by the seller show minimal signs of corrosion.
The car was sold new to its original owner in Oakland, California and was acquired by the seller in 2022. The original blue California license plate is included with the car along with the original manufacturer’s literature, data card and partial service history. This 280SEL 4.5 is now offered for sale by the current owner in Granada Hills, California with a clean California title in the seller’s name.
Interior/Exterior walk-around videos have been provided by the seller.
The W108 is an iconic Paul Bracq design sold alongside the long wheelbase version, the W109 starting in 1965. For the 1968 model year, a 280SEL was released with a long wheelbase while still retaining the W108 chassis code. Three years later, Mercedes would offer their 4.5-liter M117 V8 in the W108 chassis badged as a 280SEL 4.5 for model years 71 and 72. With just 8,173 units produced, the 280SEL 4.5 was certainly a unique spec and a rare site relative to the more common six-cylinder trims. The W108 also featured plenty of high-end technology for its time including independent rear suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, automatic climate control and central locking. This example comes well-specced in an iconic Tobacco Brown over Bamboo color combination and shows California history with the original California blue license plate. With a little bit of love, this car will serve as an excellent example of classic Mercedes excellence and should provide enjoyment to its new owner for years to come.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
Get the best of The MB Market directly in your inbox every day. Subscribe for a curated list of our top market listings and articles!
22 Comments
@PricklyPearAutoClub not sold outside. I have a another 1972 280sel 4.5 in white and brown in Los Angeles available for sale [email protected] or call/text 8183312303@Karmin0828 Is this still available?I just reduced the reserve to a new reserve@Karmin0828 ??? Can you please clarify?$17,750 bid placed by @Superiornv60
@Karmin0828 So the reserve is off?$17,500 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
$17,250 bid placed by @Superiornv60
I dropped the reserve$17,000 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
$16,500 bid placed by @Superiornv60
$16,250 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
$16,000 bid placed by @Superiornv60
$15,750 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
$15,500 bid placed by @Superiornv60
$15,250 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
$15,000 bid placed by @Mckay12
$14,500 bid placed by @Superiornv60
Thank you@Ilovebigtoys @Ilovebigtoi have 7 classic Mercedes including a Unimog. I do not want to disrespect you in these threads I answered to my best knowledge. I know what I know. Depends how much u want to spend to bring this car to factory. Have a blessed day. I don’t know ( Hope this makes you feel better)$14,250 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
Your answers tell me how little you know about cost of owning and repairing a vehicle like this. I am a car collector and I have done several MB restorations, none of wick sounded as simple as described by you. Personally I think you are full pg smoke and that you have no clue what the cost of R22 is today! . You are better off to say you dont know than give BS ansvers!$14,000 bid placed by @rolandbroussard
$13,250 bid placed by @MasonJames
Very beautiful 108, GLWA@Ilovebigtoys California 6 digit plates. Have some docs that came with the carEstimate A/C fix needs recharge or fuse. Nothing major 100%. It’s the wire on speedometer. It’s a small fix also. Parts are available. Dash crack $200-$300 to fix the crack steering wheel to take to body shop and redo $500 I did on my other cars .the steering leak is fixed it was a washer we replace just redid the complete radiator. Car is a very solid car with no rust tobacco brown with original 89k miles. I have an identical 72 4.5 280SEL also in white. This is a very clean car all around no oil leaks. Minor few things I mentioned if you have a mechanic u will spend max $2-$3k for the stuff u mentioned. Hope this helpsDo you have an estimate of fixing the A/C, alternatively converting it? If not why? Seems like you have taken care of most everything else with this vehicle, The speedometer has a wire connection I believe. Have you tried to repair the bouncing speedometer needle? If not why? Do you have an estimate on replacement of the steering wheel? Are any original replacement parts available? Was the steering box leak fixed? It is a bit unclear in your listing description as it says there is a steering box leak, but that this has been addressed. Is it fixed?. Any attempts to repair the crack in the dash. If any attempts to repair the items above is there a quote/cost estimate available, again since seller decided bot to complete these repairs. The tires have 2015 date codes. 8 years old! Is there any visible dry totting:cracking at all due to age? I have the 2nd highest bid and before I consider continuing bidding I would appreciate answers to the best of your ability.$13,000 bid placed by @rolandbroussard
$12,000 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
$10,000 bid placed by @rolandbroussard
@Jcanabal Maybe if you bid will help you to get there. Have a great weekend.@Karmin0828 how much is the reserve?@Jcanabal reserveReserve or not@Ilovebigtoys it only when starts from take off once goes over 20 miles it straightens out. You can see in the video, odometer 5 digit and the trip 3 digit both work correctly.Why is the speedometer “hicking up”? Does thar imply odo errors?My friends dad had this car. Slightly different color combo, but this is a statement vehicle like few.$7,250 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys
Video is uploaded of starting and driving the car.Upload a video of starting and driving the car per someone’s request$7,000 bid placed by @cory
$5,000 bid placed by @Ilovebigtoys