South African 1972 W108 280SE

[Mercedes]

I am new to this site. I have just inherited a South African Assembled Mercedes Benz W108 280SE powered by a 2.8 litre straight 6 cyl. The car belonged to my late  Father in law who had owned the car since 1977, the car is factory original and in very good condition mechanically and cosmetically, it has been well maintained. The car is in Zimbabwe and I am in Australia, while I have an emotional attachment to the car perhaps other readers could advise me on the cost effectiveness of shipping the car over to Australia, how collectible is/or will this car be, would it be worth investing the shipping costs to get the car from Africa to Australia? Could cost up to AU$7000 to ship - Any feedback would be much appreciated

[stickandrudderman]

A nice car with nice provenance but not worth a huge amount of money on the open market. Only you can decide if your emotional attachment to it has a price.

[Garry]

I agree with Colin,

They were a nice car but have very little collectable appeal here yet and I suspect will not for some time unless it was a coupe.  The cost to import will be not much less than the value of the car unfortunately but if there is a personal connection then do as your heart tells you and not necessarily what the $$ return is.

[114015]

Agree fully with Garry.
Have done the same - keeping a family car which is basically worthless (in the $$ sense) but we have been buddies with since 1974.
So, it's up to you.

Garry Marks
Melbourne, Australia
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery
1974 VW Kombi Pop Top Camper
2005 MB A200
2013 VW 180 V6 Touareg

Garry,
Is your E-Type gone ....?
Haven't realized it going...

Achim

[Garry]

Hi Achim,

When I advertised my 280SL for sale I also advertised the Jag and was going to keep the one that did not sell first.  I had good offers for both very quickly so decided to let it also go and concentrate on the restoration of my 230SL (which won the MB concourse for best engine bay this year and the area I have been concentrating on) and also my Kombi which I have just completed a 10,000km trip around Australia in.  Not missing the Jag but am missing my 5 speed 280SL :'(

Garry