A beautiful, rust-free W123 280E with a manual gearbox that has benefitted from considerable recent renovation work.

 

This W123 is a South African built example, known to be at least as good quality as the German built cars, some say better. It came out of the East London plant in December 1983, finished in Silver Blue metallic with tan leather upholstery. It has the four-speed manual transmission, factory air conditioning, Becker radio and electric windows/sunroof.

 

Only imported into the UK in 2021. Thanks to the kinder climate in South Africa, this W123 remains unrestored and completely rust free. The underside, the usual weak spot of UK W123s, is in incredible, original condition.

Externally, the bodywork is very nice with a great shine to the Silver Blue paintwork. The interior is lovely with original leather and carpeting. There are no dashboard cracks, which often blight these cars, and there’s a set of matching original over mats.

 

Since arriving in the UK this W123 has been subject to considerable mechanical renovation to ensure it drives as well as it looks.

 

Approaching £10,000 was spent at W123 World going through the car, including replacement suspension including dampers, brakes including calipers, new exhaust and new, correct specification, Michelin tyres.

 

More recently, we at Edward Hall Classic Mercedes have carried out a full top end overhaul of the engine. As a result, this is a very sorted W123 that drives extremely well.

All this work is to the considerable advantage of its next owner.

 

 All original books and manuals with a good service history.

 

With the largest, 280 engine and a manual transmission this W123 is the most involving to drive. It would also make a superb historic rally car, as Mercedes did in the 1977 London to Sydney when they won taking first and second places. It even has a factory sump guard already fitted.

 

It is very hard to find structurally excellent W123s these days, particularly cars that have had the level of investment that this car has. Even harder if you want the fuel-injected 280E with air conditioning. A great example of a rare car.