280SE 5-speed manual

[graham]

The search continues... My astonishment when people selling cars don't respond to enquiries is diminishing the more often it happens, but this may be a good thing (silver lining, and all that).

I've found a very pale blue 1975 280SE 5-speed manual. Factory original... I knew they existed but had never seen one before. It has covered 370,000km but appears in excellent condition with a visually immaculate MB-Tex interior. The seller is citing self-levelling rear suspension but I've not yet checked this - was it standard?

Another case of highish asking price though - this time it's NZ$4500, probably because of the gearbox.

[oversize]

Manuals are rare and I'd expect they'd bring the 280 to life and be a lot of fun to drive.  450s have SLS on the rear only and I can't see why it wouldn't be an option on the other models too.  Could it be an AMG like Zook's car???  Pics?

[graham]

I don't know that it is an AMG... Rare though seems an appropriate description. I great candidate for a turbo conversion though? ;-)

Pics... I have some. Just a mo and I'll have them posted.

[TJ 450]

This would be a D-Jet 280SE hence the 5-Speed, it would be fun to drive (as long as you're not after a relaxed drive).

Tim

[graham]

D-Jet... I don't think I've had one of them. So, a turbo and a Megasquirt, then? ;-)

[oversize]

Wierd looking shifter but it looks factory and you can always change it and keep the original on the shelf (where it won't wear out)!  Nice colour!  It looks like a keeper to me....   

[graham]

I'm trying to get some reliable eyes on it - it is a long way from me.

Actually, it is almost exactly the same as the distance from New Zealand to Australia...!

[TJ 450]

That is one unusual vehicle, and I'm impressed with how original it looks. Self leveling as one of the few options, and I can see that it was probably delivered without a radio, as the 280SE badge on the ash tray is from the blanking plate that is normally situated in the void where the radio would be. That is the early style shifter, I've seen it in pics I recall.

I imagine that's right down the bottom of the South Island then? It makes me want to drive around NZ in a 116!

Tim

[zook]

at risk of sounding like a spoiled brat- IM AM INSANELY JEALOUS

[TJ 450]

I have no idea how the 5-speed differs, but certainly the four speed does the job nicely on later cars.

The Euro 280S with the 4-speed certainly moves along quite quickly all things considered, but I can only imagine that the Euro manual SE would fly. You would want low comp pistons for a turbo conversion though... Nothing that can't be rectified however.

Tim

[Big_Richard]

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[TJ 450]

That is normal for an early version.

Tim

[pompy]

It looks good. That M110 should have had an overhaull by now.

[graham]

That is one unusual vehicle, and I'm impressed with how original it looks. Self leveling as one of the few options, and I can see that it was probably delivered without a radio, as the 280SE badge on the ash tray is from the blanking plate that is normally situated in the void where the radio would be. That is the early style shifter, I've seen it in pics I recall.

I imagine that's right down the bottom of the South Island then? It makes me want to drive around NZ in a 116!

Tim

Yup - it is in Dunedin. Head much further south and you'll get your feet wet. (And the next stop is Antarctica!)

It does mean that a visit for inspection and a test drive is impractical. Flights aren't ridiculously expensive but I'd really want to have someone take a look before committing to anything - getting it home would probably be a 3+ day drive - the distance isn't a problem, but as anyone who has driven in NZ will know, the roads don't lend themselves to cruising at 100km/h for long periods.

At NZ$4250 it's not a fortune, but that price has increased by around $500 while it has been for sale.

It is a very nice looking car. I like it, and I like the M110 engine. OK, so it's not a V8, but it can be forgiven!

As for the turbo conversion - a T3/T4 hybrid with ceramic bearings would be a good start. JE pistons would custom-make some for a not unreasonable price, and can supply appropriate rings and wrist pins. US-spec (lower compression) pistons probably wouldn't be low enough for anything other than the lowest of boost pressures.

[Tony66_au]

That thing has a gear stick that would put john holmes to shame.

Is that normal ? 

What about Johnny Wad was Normal MT?

The man was deformed!

And yep its the right shifter for an early one.