Istorie
Because the American car production, by the late 1960s, has largely switched to V8 powered cars, Mercedes decided to develop its own V8 to compete in the US market. In 1969 the 4.5L V8 was fitted to the 280SE and 280SEL export models. For Europe, a 3.5L V8 was available and 11304 units of 280SE were equipped with this engine.
Sean Penn offered Madonna a similar version of this car as a present.
Full description
The Mercedes Benz W108 and W109 were luxury cars built by Mercedes Benz in the US from 1965 through 1972. The initial model lineup consisted of three W108s: 250S, 250SE, and 300SE, as well as a sole W109, the 300SEL. Engines for the new car were carried over from the previous generation, but enlarged and refined.
During the winter of 1967/1968 Daimler launched the new W108 range, which now included 280S and 280SE, with production starting in November 1967 In January 1968, the model line was joined by yet another car, the 280SEL. The car had the longer wheelbase of the W109, but lacked the pneumatic suspension and other features of the 300SEL. Hence the chassis code remained W108.
The 108W and 109W models sat on 14’’ wheels and had disc brakes on all four wheels.
Because the American car production, by the late 1960s, has largely switched to V8 powered cars, Mercedes decided to develop its own V8 to compete in the US market. In 1969 the 4.5L V8 was fitted to the 280SE and 280SEL export models. For Europe, a 3.5L V8 was available and 11304 units of 280SE were equipped with this engine. The V8 W108 was fitted as standard with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. Developed by Mercedes, it used a fluid coupling instead of the more usual torque converter.
The 280SE, thanks to its 3.5 V8 engine, had 200 hp and was good for 210 km/h.
A similar spectacular motorcar was given by actor Sean Penn to Madonna in 1986 and was used as her personal car while in California. Later, in 1992, the singer used this model in the video for Deeper and Deeper.
This particular car has 1,210 km on board.
