1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe – Jay Leno’s Garage

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Jay takes us on a tour of his 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE that is the last of the coachbuilt cars.

30 Comments

  1. Americans have such hang-ups about Mercedes because they were marketed to the wealthier people in America.
    Do yourself a favor, no matter how anti-foreign car you may be, do yourself a favor a drive a pre-'86 small bodied Benz. They're cheap enough and the way they drive is like nothing else. European firmness, yet silky smooth. And something like this 280 SE is truly one of the World's top cars ever made…if you like a mechanical feel, and not like you're inside a jelly doughnut with ear plugs in…and ALL you senses blocked off. They're a bit like a less refined '60s US car, meant in the best way.

  2. This is a fantastic coupe. Just to help clarify, Paul Bracq was a Frenchman and arguably the best designer Mercedes-Benz ever had. Keep up the great work. You certainly have an eye for the best cars.

  3. Love it. Thanks Jay. I still have my Mom's '73 280. They took Euro delivery and drove it all through Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. Have pics of the car in the Alps. My dad worked for Sealand in Elizabeth, so he got the car shipped back for free in '72. Will never sell it. I have many fond memories of wrenching on it with my dad. I was born in '74, so this was my childhood car. Much of what you said about your Benzes hits home. John, Mendham NJ

  5. Almost all new cars are boring and if there not ,you still have to smog them. I have a couple of slow Ford falcons,That I am going to turn into my daily drivers. The 1962 Falcon is beautiful, it has a liitle of a Mercedes look to the body.

  6. I had the privilege to detail a black 280 cabriolet back in 2010, completely original, down to the paint and interior. It was imported, and sold for well over $100,000. Gorgeous car.

  7. Hey Jay, is there a chance you would review the FIAT 130 Coupe? I am sure you would love the car…you have fine taste.

  9. I had a 1974 280C, European model with halogen lights (they way they are supposed to look) and no 5 mph bumpers. No radio, a/c, no power windows or roof. Cloth seats, it was the very base level 280. 110 model engine straight 6 with 4 bbl carb and racetrack like air filter, huge thing. Germans call the trunk mat a gummy mat. Lovely car, wish I still had my 280C

  10. I think deep down Jay is frustrated with the air conditioning knob. Just buy the merc knob. . .you can afford it.

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