W108 280se sleeper

[andyburns]

If anyone is interested I am trying to find a worthy home for my rhd 280se.  The car was owned by an elderly accountant from new until he died in the early 90's.  His wife couldn't bare to part with it so she garaged it until her death in 2008.  I took possession and set about a refurbishment over a two year period.  It needed very little done to it as everything down to the carpets were in such magnificent condition.  I think its quite a rare occurrence to find these old sleepers.  If this was a pagoda in this original state it would fetch a bomb.  I really cant work out why the 108's are still so undervalued.  Fantastic old cars.

[andyburns]

Some more pics

[Larry & Norma]

Really nice car, pity you can't hang on to it.

[w113dude]

I really cant work out why the 108's are still so undervalued. 

I would say it's because they are four door cars, and don't look as cool as the coupes otherwise same ride if not better.

[Flyair]

looks that it's a real sleeping beauty. Good luck in finding her prince.

[garymand]

Lovely, I was just talking about my wife's totaled 70 SEL same color and condition.  She donated the motor to my 250SL. 

Any Idea how much it would cost and take to get it to California and registered here? 
I think wify would rather have the 280 than her C320.

[andyburns]

What a pity to loose such a rare old girl.  I dont know exactly how much to ship a car from New Zealand to the US but I know coming the other way it is usually about 2000US. I also have no idea about registration in California.  The car is also a right hand drive so I dont know what the rules are in the US around this.

If you want to look at some more pics then follow this link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/andyburnsnz

I believe this car is very very special due to its extreme originality and would love to see it go to a really good home who is committed to preserving her for future generations.  I know I am asking more than what you could buy a seemingly good unrestored w108, but considering how much it has cost to get to this level and all the hours I have plied into the project I think the asking price is a bargain.

Lovely, I was just talking about my wife's totaled 70 SEL same color and condition.  She donated the motor to my 250SL. 

Any Idea how much it would cost and take to get it to California and registered here? 
I think wify would rather have the 280 than her C320.

[georgem]

Andy,

Tell us about the  aircraft that you just happen to have parked in your garage - in amongst your other cars - which look great by the way!

[Palolo]

Tell us about the  aircraft that you just happen to have parked in your garage...

I think it is a triumph of sorts. 

Nice 108s, too.

To get cars like them in to the US is less difficult be a use they are older than 25 years, and getting those 108s (in particular) registered in CA is also less difficult because they are pre-smog cars and have not been substantially modified.

[andyburns]

The aircraft is a twin seat spitfire owned by a very wealthy guy down here in NZ.  He made all his money in the IT industry in Auckland.  He is a reasonably experienced non commercial pilot when he purchased the plane but initially bit off a bit more than he could chew with the spitfire crashing it two times in less than 10 hours of flight.  Both times the repair bill was more than a quarter of a million with upwards of six months out of the air on each occasion.  Much like our old mercs this plane is in my humble opinion a thing of beauty and totally deserved of being considered high art. 

Andy,

Tell us about the  aircraft that you just happen to have parked in your garage - in amongst your other cars - which look great by the way!