W108 Series

[nirmal]

I am negotiating for a 1969 280S with a 130920 engine. The engine runs and all parts are there but will be expensive to restore and get it roadworthy. Any views if it is worth considering to purchase it for around $4000 for donor parts? Will check out the car later this week with my mechanic on the condition.

Nirmal
1969 Automatic 280 SL
1953 MG TD
2012 Jaguar XJ

[GGR]

Being a 280S it is a carbureted engine, which is quite different from the fuel injected one. Head and block are different, as well as the whole intake system. This reduces by quite a lot the number of parts that are interchangeable with your Pagoda. A 280SE would be a better donor car. I don't know what is parts availability and prices in your part of the world, but $4,000 seems to be high. If the car has a manual transmission and you want to convert yours to manual, it may be an opportunity though. 

[Naj ✝︎]

Nirmal,

The donor car you really need is a W108 280SE 3.5
It will have the rear axle you want (most likely 3.46 but maybe 3.69), ventilated front disc brakes etc. and a V8 engine if you want to go down that route 

Naj

[scoot]

I am negotiating for a 1969 280S with a 130920 engine. The engine runs and all parts are there but will be expensive to restore and get it roadworthy. Any views if it is worth considering to purchase it for around $4000 for donor parts? Will check out the car later this week with my mechanic on the condition.

Unless you are looking to sell donor parts to others I don't really see the point in it.  It sounds like you don't want to restore it.  Owning a parts car is really convenient if you have another car of the same model, but it isn't particularly useful for a Pagoda unless you need the rear axle, brakes, stuff like that.   Seems like it ought to be bought by someone who needs that engine.