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1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupé W111 Surfaces at Australian Auction

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Some cars arrive at auction polished within an inch of their life. Others stroll in wearing their Sunday-best silhouette with Monday-morning energy. This 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SE W111 Coupé sits firmly in the second category—a project? Yes. A collectible? Absolutely. And most importantly, a chance for a new owner to steward one of Mercedes-Benz’s most elegant decades.

Below, we look at why the 280SE coupé continues to enjoy near-mythic status among classic-car enthusiasts, and what exactly this particular example brings to the auction floor.

Why the W111 Coupé Still Sits High on Collectors’ Lists

Mercedes-Benz didn’t build cars like the W111 coupé to be ordinary. Produced in small numbers—fewer than 5,000 for the 280SE variant worldwide—these pillarless hardtops were partially hand-crafted, with bespoke interior work and metal shaping that pushed them far beyond standard production totals of the era.

That scarcity is a major driver of today’s collectability. Auction data over the past decade shows that top-tier W111 coupés regularly achieve strong prices globally, often near to six figures (converted to AUD), while solid “driver-condition” cars still command interest thanks to rising demand and dwindling supply. The gap between the top tier and driver condition can often be substantial due to the restoration costs.

The shape itself remains a calling card. With its uninterrupted glasshouse, floating roofline and restrained chrome, the W111 coupé represents Mercedes design at its most refined—elegant without showing off, luxurious without shouting. Collectors often refer to it as the “pre-S-Class S-Class,” and for good reason: it set the tone for decades of Mercedes’ flagship models.

Takeaway: The 280SE coupé is firmly established as a blue-chip classic—rare, significant, and valued by enthusiasts who know exactly what it is.

1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SE coupé at Pickles Auctions

Auction Details: Starts 12/12/2025 08:00 AM at Pickles Australia

Now to the offering itself: this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SE coupé, finished in white over grey cloth trim, showing 28,476 miles on the odometer and carrying both the main keys and spare. It’s an unrestored example, although its history is unknown to us here, presenting as a full but straightforward project for the next custodian.

Key Specs

  • Build Date: May 1968

  • Engine: 2.8-litre straight-six with multi-point injection

  • Transmission: 4-speed automatic

  • Drive: Rear-wheel drive

  • Seats: 5

  • Doors: 2 (pillarless coupé)

  • Registration: Unregistered

  • GST: Not applicable

 

Condition Summary

According to the Pickles condition report, the car wears the kind of cosmetic wear you’d expect from a long-stored classic: dents, marks, some ageing of paintwork, and interior trim requiring attention. The seats show tearing and deterioration, the carpets need replacing, and some cabin components such as the console lid are missing or damaged. Service books and manuals are not included.

But importantly, the car appears complete and structurally sound enough to serve as a strong base for a thorough, considered restoration. For many collectors, that’s exactly the sweet spot—originality intact, but ready for a second life. That said, you should investigate and conduct your own inspections.

Our Take: Why This One’s Worth a Look

For classic-car newcomers, the appeal of a W111 coupé might be the beauty. For seasoned collectors, it’s the combination of rarity, craftsmanship and long-term value stability. A restoration will require commitment—these cars are complex and deserve professional hands—but the result is one of the most graceful grand tourers ever parked on an Australian driveway.

It would be very interesting to know the car’s history and whether it has been registered here in Australia previously or imported. As with any collectible, history matters.

If you’ve been waiting for an accessible entry point into W111 ownership, this may be your moment. The bones are here, the model is desirable, and the market remains consistently kind to well-restored examples.

A gentleman’s coupé awaiting a fresh chapter—what more could a collector ask for?

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