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2022 Shannons Autumn Timed Online Auction
Lot
145

1978 Mercedes-Benz 280CE Coupe

$41,000

Brisbane

Sold

Specifications

Engine 2.8-litre six-cylinder
Gearbox Four-speed automatic
Body Work Coupe
Colour White
Interior Beige
Wheels Steel
Brakes Discs

Description

This lot is no longer available

The W123 was the next Mercedes-Benz model range to appear after the immensely influential and successful W116 S-Class of 1972. Even though its styling seemed more closely related to the outgoing W115 than it did to the S-Class, this was in fact an entirely new car which incorporated many of the engineering philosophies which were embodied in the flagship. There was a general international view that the S-Class Mercedes-Benz was the best sedan money could buy; for many, it followed that the new W123 was the best medium sedan. It was almost certainly the safest vehicle in the world for its size, and build quality was absolutely first-class. Within nine months of the W123’s launch, a black market had developed in Germany. Waiting lists were sometimes more than a year and slightly used examples commanded a significant premium over the list price. During 1976 Daimler-Benz launched the elegant C123 coupe with production starting the following year. The coupe was built on a 2710mm wheelbase, 85mm shorter than the sedan’s. Only the flagship 280CE was sold here. As ever with Mercedes coupes, it commanded a premium, being priced at $50,228 in mid-1983, compared with the 280E’s $46,057 and the 230E’s $38,054.