Mercedes-Benz 280 S (1977)

Sonderklasse. Abbreviated: S-class. The W116, as the model serie is known at Mercedes-Benz internally, was the first car officially designated as S-class. To make clear the owner had bought something special: a car that meets the best top-class limousines on the market. Stronger still: this Mercedes-Benz was probably even better. Like its predecessors: the very best. As its successors would be in the following decades.

The W116 is a design icon. Together with the SL (R107), the Mercedes-Benz S-class was the starting point fo a new direction in design. The large horizontal headlights and taillights were characteristic for the W116, and – in modernised form – can still be found back on Mercedes’ present model series. Of course, engine-wise, the S-class ticks all the boxes as well; driven by a six-cylinder in-line engine or a huge V8, the W116 was among the fastest car's on the Autobahn. And among the most comfortable too; Mercedes-Benz had spent lots of money in the development of the suspension. And of course, safety was also one of the S-class its spearheads. As was its build quality.

Talking about quality: that’s exactly the reason that there are still so many W116’s on the road. One that has been treated with care – like this very 280 S – still impresses with its indestructability after almost 50 years. The bodywork, the drive line, the interior; everything seems to be build for eternity. This citrus green 280 S, offered by Peet Classics, was bought from a German collector in 2010, and has been treated with tender loving care ever since. The paintwork is still in a magnificent condition, the chromework is like new, the interior looks like it has been upholsted with moss-green fabric recently. Although this 280 S has the standard wheelbase, the car offers plenty of room for traveling with four adults.

While the W116 was introduced almost half a century ago, it’s still more than capable in modern traffic, even when this car is the S-class’ basic and least powerful model. The six cylinder delivers 156 bhp, and invites the driver to take things easy. Not that there is anything wrong with its driving characteristics, but the car behaves better when the driver doesn’t rush things. In the correct state of mind, the car treats you with great amounts of comfort. Exactly like the engineers thought was right, back in the days.

This Mercedes-Benz 280 S will offer you a huge amount of classic pleasure, for many years to come. Peet Classics will deliver the auto with two sets of wheels: the standard ones with the painted hubcaps and the light alloy ones that fans of the brand call the ‘barock’ wheels. Only when you take a good look, you’ll find some traces of experience: some optical point of attention can be fixed quickly and easily.

At Peet Classics, we are more than happy to tell you all we know about this beautifully preserved Mercedes-Benz 280 S.