David's 1979 280 SEL Mercedes-Benz: Classic Restos - Series 51

Fletch catches up with a long-time friend who has driven down from the Gold Coast to the Southern Highlands of NSW. A distance of 1,200 kilometres in his prized possession, a 1979 280 SEL Mercedes-Benz.

David met Fletch 24 years ago when he owned a Cadillac and Fletch a Buick Electra; they both had a passion for Classics even back then. While they don’t see each other regularly, the friendship picks up where it left off whenever they meet.

First-up Fletch takes David for a spin in his Replica 1969 Dodge Dart GT Sport. The car originally was a 2007 VH Valiant, white with a slant six engine, and to be truthful, looked a little tired. So a rebuild was the next course of action into a replica Dodge Dart with 433 Hp and 340 virgin block. The result is a spectacular-looking car that drives and sounds as it should.

Fletch gets the inside story of David’s passion for Mercedes-Benz, which goes back to 1972 when as a boy, their neighbour came home in a new Mercedes-Benz finished in Ivory with Tobacco leather. The neighbour took David and his father for a drive, and he was mesmerized by the features, automatic windows and the comfort and smell of new leather that would last with him forever. He recalls saying, “One day, I will own a car like that”. When asked by his father, what did you think of that?

True to word, David acquired his 1979 280 SEL, and despite its 43 years has served him well as his daily drive. It is the last of the chrome bumper models,  a six-cylinder, four-speed transmission with overdrive. No computer system, so nothing can go wrong that a good mechanic can’t fix. Surprisingly, very few are still around; when new, they were around $38,000 compared to the standard Holden or Ford at approximately $6,000-7,000, so they considered a luxury car in their time. 

David says the key to keeping these classic cars in good condition is to invest in regular maintenance, which will pay you back every time. The car oozes elegance, class and stylish and stands out even today. It is David’s pride and Joy.