This example of a 1973 Mercedes Benz is the closest you will get to a new 280SE in 2015!
The finest Mercedes Benz experts in northern California have carried out an impeccable restoration on this vehicle over the last ninemonths. Hundreds of hours have been spent to restore, ervice, lean, aint and detail this car to factory floor standard. The photos speak for themselves. You name it, his car has had it attended to: a professional, etal-off repaint, ll mechanicals overhauled as required, ydraulics & brakes checked, lectricals made new, completely new leather interior and carpet installed, nd wood re-finished as necessary using original Mercedes Benz lacquering techniques.

Last of the hand-built Mercedes, his 280SE 4.5 has never been outside the state of California since delivery to its original owner in 1973.
It is a very true and straight example finished in the extremely rare and highly sought after classic metallic red, B-571, ith black leather hides piped in black. Naturally, he hubcaps have been painted to match. DB-571 was one of the 48 factory color options offered by Mercedes Benz in 1973. Seen infrequently, t shows off the sensual lines of this gorgeous automobile to perfection.

Before restoration commenced, t was a well-maintained California example to begin with. The body was straight and rust-free, nd sported 100% original paint that was simply faded. Because it is so rare to find a car with a rust-free body, ith no history of accidents, nd such immaculate maintenance records kept by its two persnickety owners (the most recent of whom was a master Mercedes mechanic), he decision was made to redress the car in the very best color combination possible. A once-drab maple yellow car with brown MB-Tex interior became the glorious red metallic over black leather it is today.

All chrome was removed from the body in preparation for painting. After careful deliberation, he decision was made to leave the front and rear windscreens in place. They were original to the car and in flawless condition. We did not want to risk breaking the glass in the course of removal – a good possibility even in the best of circumstances. The paint work used a primer, wo stage base, ith four coats of clear. A gentleman who is degreed in his art spent three full days wet sanding, uffing and polishing the exterior to a mirror-like finish. The result is simply exquisite. The car was carefully reassembled using all the original chrome moldings; where necessary, ew rubbers were installed. All clips, asteners and screws were painted before being installed to avoid potential rust issues later.
The interior is in a condition that is almost never seen with this model. The very finest leather seat covers available, rom GAHH, ere installed. Matching black leather hides were purchased from GAHH and cut to cover every other surface inside the cabin. From the pillars to the door panels to the rear wind screen surround and front kick panel, verything is now covered in new leather. The result is truly amazing, nd as one would imagine, he aroma of new leather upon entering the vehicle is sumptuous.

Everything inside the car was renewed or refurbished. The headliner was dyed; carpet on the rear shelf and in the console between the front seats was replaced with new. Custom floor mats were manufactured in Holland and fitted to the four foot wells. Also to original standard, he black leather heel mat for the driver’s foot well was reproduced. The walnut wood trim around the base of the windscreen was removed, ainstakingly stripped, hen put through an amazing refinishing process involving no less than 25 coats of clear lacquering (time-consumingly wet sanded and rubbed between each coat).

Since the passenger side mirror was an option on this car that had not been originally selected, e took the opportunity to have a new one installed, o the car now has mirrors on both sides. Likewise, new old stock steering wheel was located and painted and installed. Even the steering wheel center, riginally MB-Tex, as replaced with new leather.

The car is simply stunning. Every single switch, auge, utton, ever and feature was checked, isassembled if necessary, leaned, olished and refitted. The interior is virtually perfect and it can only be described as "like new". The car glides silently and powerfully down the road as though it had just left the showroom floor; truly, his is an exilherating automobile to pilot.

The spectacular front grill is so perfect in lustre that it presents flawlessly. Even the chrome bumpers are original and appear to be brand new. There were no dings in the hubcaps, ut these were removed and thoroughly cleaned front and back before being re-installed. Rather than seeking perfection at any cost, t's fair to say we aimed for "reasonable perfection" in everything we did; where parts needed to be replaced, e found new old stock units. If new systems had been invented that were superior to the original, uch as the stainless steel exhaust system, e opted for those instead. Naturally, very exhaust hanger, lamp, nd support has been replaced with a new one.
As you would hope and expect, ll features and functions are completely operational with air conditioning, eating, ir distribution and fans, indows, auges, nterior and exterior lights, ight down to the most detailed dash light, verything! - operating properly. Every gauge has been inspected with each individually opened and cleaned, nd rebuilt as needed. The speedometer has its original mileage as when we received her but all new mechanical parts and new cable fitted. Everything is in excellent working condition.
Mechanically, his 280SE is complete. Not a single stone left unturned. Upon commencement, he engine was compression- and leak-down tested with good results. With a good base, asically everything was either overhauled, eplaced, erviced or inspected and tested.
Everything mechanical has been investigated and serviced as required and the car simply needs nothing. Importantly, t has all been the most talented Mercedes Benz craftsmen who have completed every bit of this work. Between the service records we have in hand and the excellent condition of the car, he mileage appears accurate.

The underside of the car is quite the masterpiece: solid, lean, nd rust-free.
All peripheral items -- tires, attery, ils, luids, rake pads, tc. -- have all been checked and, here necessary, eplaced. The car, f course comes with its original jack and tools; the original operating manuals are all in the glove box.
This whole restoration exercise was done out of love and passion so what you are seeing is the "full Monty". Every single thing works and the car drives with the comfort, uiet, nd power that one expects from this top of the line automobile.
This is a Mercedes Benz 280SE 4.5 at its finest. This level and seriousness of work comes with a reasonable price expectation, specially considering the hundreds of hours of labor and the final presentation there is to offer. This is a virtual masterpiece, eady for its new owner to do nothing more than turn the key and enjoy driving as perfect a 280SE as one can find.

100 high resolution photos are available for interested buyers.

The vehicle is located in Sausalito, A, here your inspection is welcome.