Up for sale is this 1976 Mercedes Benz 280 sedan, in red over a tan MB-Tex interior, with 86,300 miles shown.

This Mercedes is an excellent example of the W114 chassis, produced from 1968 to 1976, and is the last year for this chassis before being replaced by the W123 chassis. Available in both sedan and coupe form, this was Mercedes at it’s best with Old World manufacturing methods, a stout robust chassis that was meant to last, with relatively stark but durable interiors that defy age and use.

This example presents very well, with a refinished exterior, and an interior that’s mostly original and holding up very well, with some patina and evidence of use, but no significant issues. It has known history, with extensive receipts, and needs no work to be ready for the next owner.

The red color is factory issue, refinished in the last few years, and looks factory correct with depth and no significant blemishes or chips evident. The chrome is also in excellent shape, with no pitting and properly installed, and lines up correctly at all points. The US spec bumpers are also blemish free, with all rubber in excellent condition, and no evidence of contact. There is leftover of an old parking sticker on the left back corner of the chrome, but otherwise are clean.

The hubcaps are the factory issue items, and are painted body color, as was customary in the era. These do not have color coding within the three-pointed star, so probably aren’t the originals, but still correct for the car.

The tan interior is in excellent condition. The seats are in very good condition, with the driver seat showing some wrinkling and a slightly darker color from use, but there are no rips or tears anywhere. The plastic trim and dashboard are in great condition as well, with the one tiny dash crack shown in the picture. Otherwise, the dash is warp free and shows no damage from the sun, and the carpets are also straight and clean with no washout of the color from wear or sun exposure. The Zebrano wood veneer on the dash is in great shape as well, glossy and suffering from no cracks or sun fade.

The interior of this 280 is completely stock except for the Sharp Stereo with AM/FM and cassette, marking it out as an older upgrade.

These W114’s were available with diesel, of course, but this sedan has the well-known M110 powerplant - a dual overhead cam, 2.8 liter, inline-six cylinder gasoline motor, smooth with decent power and a deserved reputation for being indestructible. Paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the 280 is actually a surprisingly fun and capable car, with decent power and a supple four wheel independent suspension that belies its age.

This 280 has been properly cared for and comes with receipts detailing the upkeep and maintenance, and needs nothing to be fully functional for the next owner.

This upright classic Mercedes sedans aren’t as well known as the mid-size 123 sedans that followed. However, they are finally starting to gain some attention, as another example of how Mercedes built their cars to last. It’s clean lines and simple interior are meant to withstand heavy use and yet, they’re also nimble and capable. It’s rare to find one both in this level of careful upkeep - and also equipped with the gasoline motor, as the emphasis on diesel was so prevalent in this era. This 280 would be a relatively easy way to stand out in a crowd, while also secure in the knowledge that the car is meant to last.