You can’t do much better than a W108, all things considered. Not a bad line on it anywhere, inside or out. Wonderfully comfortable and quality through and through. ‘60’s thru ‘80’s was the golden era of Mercedes, from W111 to W126. My brother and I have a small collection of these (‘69 W108 280 SE, ‘69 W111 280 SE 3.5 Coupe, ‘65 220 SE Cabriolet and ‘81 R107 380 SL) and the build quality of all of them is phenomenal. They were not hand built - tons of assembly line photos from the era prove that - but there was a lot of hand finishing and fitting. We drive all of ours regularly and they provide so much character and a pleasant change from the plastic cocoons of today. Current Mercedes are noth8ng by comparison.
Nice collection! Agreed on most fronts, but I beg to differ on the hand built statement. All of my research shows that the W108 was in fact hand built. They were on an assembly line, yes. Of course. They had to be. But that doesn't mean they were built by machine. But like I say in the video, "who cares!?". At this point, it's all about just enjoying the vehicle! ☺
I knew someone here in England with a 1972 280ce. Stacker headlights and a pillarless coupe. This generation was the most exceptional, and elegant of all.
You touched a comparison at the start with Rolls Royce. My home town is Crewe in England. The real home of RR and Bentley. The craftsmanship of 70s Rolls was exquisite. The build quality. Not so much. 😂 They spent more time on strike than working.@@PricklyPearAC
@@jamesrobert4106 Rolls is still one of my dream cars, but I can’t imagine that they were better than the W108 during this time. I think they just probably didn’t have as good of resources as Benz. Today though, I think it’s obvious that Rolls is a far more premium vehicle than Benz.
Such a beautiful Benz. Late 1960s, early 70s here in the island of Tasmania, Australia, population of approximately 500,000, a very wealthy relative bought a new MBenz 280 SEL 3.5 litre V8. Only one I ever saw here and in an usual colour combination. Exterior was beige and interior was black and white houndstooth cloth, I think probably pure wool. Such a beautiful car. Saw it in early 2000s parked in a rural street and it was still in great condition. When MB quality went South he bought Lexus instead and in 1990 or 1, a new Ferrari Testarossa. That model Benz are still an eye-catching design.
@@rodericklohrey1746 That’s an awesome story! The color combo on your relatives W108 sounds absolutely gorgeous. And a brand new Testarossa!? Wow!! Very good taste!😄
Beautiful. I agree on the color. 108/109's look better in dark non metallic colors. I had a 71 280S in dark maroon, which I think is the best color for these. I'd say Black and the dark Maroon, Green, Tabacco Brown and Blue just make these cars stand out like nohting else.
@@PricklyPearAC,sadly,no.A person collided into it at a high rate of speed.The car was totalled,but I was ok,which speaks volumes fo the integrity of construction.I am looking to get another someday
@@naeemsaley2197 That’s awesome, dude! Electric windows are not aftermarket. It’s even shown in the owners manual. Maybe in South Africa they were, but W108’s elsewhere did in fact have electric windows.
You can’t do much better than a W108, all things considered. Not a bad line on it anywhere, inside or out. Wonderfully comfortable and quality through and through. ‘60’s thru ‘80’s was the golden era of Mercedes, from W111 to W126. My brother and I have a small collection of these (‘69 W108 280 SE, ‘69 W111 280 SE 3.5 Coupe, ‘65 220 SE Cabriolet and ‘81 R107 380 SL) and the build quality of all of them is phenomenal. They were not hand built - tons of assembly line photos from the era prove that - but there was a lot of hand finishing and fitting. We drive all of ours regularly and they provide so much character and a pleasant change from the plastic cocoons of today. Current Mercedes are noth8ng by comparison.
Nice collection! Agreed on most fronts, but I beg to differ on the hand built statement. All of my research shows that the W108 was in fact hand built. They were on an assembly line, yes. Of course. They had to be. But that doesn't mean they were built by machine. But like I say in the video, "who cares!?". At this point, it's all about just enjoying the vehicle! ☺
Just beautiful. If you had one of these back then. You were a serious roller. Having a Benz today is no biggie.
Precisely! This is when you truly had to be wealthy or at least very well off to drive a Mercedes-Benz.
I knew someone here in England with a 1972 280ce. Stacker headlights and a pillarless coupe.
This generation was the most exceptional, and elegant of all.
@@jamesrobert4106 No doubt this era of Mercedes-Benz is arguably the most beautiful in their history!
@@PricklyPearAC When the Mercedes theme..."The best or nothing " was a statement of fact!
You touched a comparison at the start with Rolls Royce. My home town is Crewe in England. The real home of RR and Bentley. The craftsmanship of 70s Rolls was exquisite. The build quality. Not so much. 😂 They spent more time on strike than working.@@PricklyPearAC
@@jamesrobert4106 Indeed!
@@jamesrobert4106 Rolls is still one of my dream cars, but I can’t imagine that they were better than the W108 during this time. I think they just probably didn’t have as good of resources as Benz. Today though, I think it’s obvious that Rolls is a far more premium vehicle than Benz.
So envious of that interior!
Absolutely gorgeous! Especially with the Louis Vuitton dash, right!?🤣
One word: classy!
@@flexigoat7778 Indeed!😍
My grandfather was the top fan of this car. may he rest in peace ✌️🕊️ I wish one I will buy this car ❤
@@AdamaGibba-bv6eg Blessings to your grandfather. Thank you for sharing! It sounds like he had great taste!😄😊
Such a beautiful Benz. Late 1960s, early 70s here in the island of Tasmania, Australia, population of approximately 500,000, a very wealthy relative bought a new MBenz 280 SEL 3.5 litre V8. Only one I ever saw here and in an usual colour combination. Exterior was beige and interior was black and white houndstooth cloth, I think probably pure wool. Such a beautiful car. Saw it in early 2000s parked in a rural street and it was still in great condition. When MB quality went South he bought Lexus instead and in 1990 or 1, a new Ferrari Testarossa. That model Benz are still an eye-catching design.
@@rodericklohrey1746 That’s an awesome story! The color combo on your relatives W108 sounds absolutely gorgeous. And a brand new Testarossa!? Wow!! Very good taste!😄
Original paint is amazing. Beautiful example.
@@verdict1163 Thank you very much! It is indeed amazing and beautiful!😃
My father had a 1969 280 SEL when I was a kid. It was our finest car ever.
@@illeagleproducts4u That’s so awesome! I wonder what these were like brand spankin’ new.😯🫨
I own and love my w116 350 SEL...but my dream car is still the 108.
@@juanproano7777 Make that dream happen, dude!😃
I can smell that interior through the screen.
@@crs290 Hahaha!😆😎
Definitely not a bad thing.
Beautiful. I agree on the color. 108/109's look better in dark non metallic colors. I had a 71 280S in dark maroon, which I think is the best color for these. I'd say Black and the dark Maroon, Green, Tabacco Brown and Blue just make these cars stand out like nohting else.
@@petercollingwood522 Oh, the dark maroon is a great color on these!😍
great cars as long as they don;t have rust.My uncle had one,and I bought one in the 90's
@@stebo-pv2hq Nice! Do you still have it?
@@PricklyPearAC,sadly,no.A person collided into it at a high rate of speed.The car was totalled,but I was ok,which speaks volumes fo the integrity of construction.I am looking to get another someday
@@stebo-pv2hq Oh my gosh! Glad you’re okay! That’s horrible!😫
@@PricklyPearAC ,it was a sad day.thanks
What a beauty!
Thank you, dude!
Elegant.
@@kertamo6721 Indeed. Thank you very much!
My dad had this car in 1980 in South Africa. The only s class of its time in our neighbourhood. ❤❤❤. By the way the electric windows are after market
@@naeemsaley2197 That’s awesome, dude! Electric windows are not aftermarket. It’s even shown in the owners manual. Maybe in South Africa they were, but W108’s elsewhere did in fact have electric windows.
M117 or go home
No.