Some background -
!7 years ago, my friend Geoff, who vintage-races a '65 Sunbeam Tiger, sold his 1968 W108 280SE. At the time I was tempted to buy it, but the car didn't have AC (almost a mandatory option in the DC area) And I already had a perfectly running, air-conditioned '72 250. However, My friend's SE did have the somewhat rare manual 4-speed floorshift.
A few weeks ago my friend Mike told me about a '68 280SE on Craigslist. I went over to see the car, expecting the usual rustbucket, automatic, W108 basket case, and found my friend's former stickshift 280SE, identified by the California Sunbeam Tiger Owner's Asscociation decal on the back window.

Car is white, with saddle tex interior. On my brief inspection, most of the rockers, driver's side and trunk floors appeared solid. but there are some rust-spots appearing at the bottoms of some of the doors and rear fenders, as well as a rust blister above the left headlight. The worst is a welded patch to the driver's side frame-rail that has rusted again.
Body is straight but the right side was repainted at some time and some of that paint is now peeling.

The tex interior and dash-wood looks good, except for some discoloring/deterioration to the finish at the ends of the 'hockey-sticks' - the wood around the windshield, but the wood and venneer is still together and intact.

The seller says the car hasn't run for 8 years, but I was able to put a wrench on the altenator nut and get the engine to turn with the fan-belt. Oil looked black but level was normal, with no signs of coolant leaks into the crankcase (like what ruined the engine in my '61 Ponton).

Seller says the title has been misplaced, but it may be possible to apply for a replacement. Car is in Springfield, Virginia. He's asking $300 OBO. I'm sorely tempted, but right now I'm short of time or room for extra projects.
Send me a PM or E-mail for contact information.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

A '68 motor is a bit different from later years. Not that it makes it more valuable. But it does mean paying attention to the motor number when buying parts. Little things like the cam towers being 1mm taller can be surprising if you're not ready for it.

Equally importantly, 300$ is a great price to get an M130E motor and transmission for anybody looking to upgrade a carb'd car.

-CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Bump

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DrDKW

you're tempting me here. If I didn't have 33 other projects. -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Oh, come on! One of those 33 projects has to be of lesser "value" than the '68 280SE. nudge, nudge

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

At least you have shelter for some of your projects. I don't even have a carport here!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

19 sitting in a garage in Reading, PA. Buying the building was cheaper than renting storage.

Four in the garage here. Now, there's no room to work.

Three outside the garage, which annoys the neighbors.

One two doors down. The lady needs the rent I pay her for a piece of her driveway.

Three are at Grandma's. She passed in November, so I inherited the driveway for now.

One's at a shop in Michigan. That one's got to come home.

Two are out in Phoenix at a friend's place. they too must return to the roost.

Yeah, I could drive the 300+ miles to collect it, along with the 220se in Baltimore that's "on the way". But once again, I need to spend time working on these things, not getting more.

Anybody want a 280c that needs a carb and has a hole on the driver's floor? It's in Reading. That's the one to pass on to the next guy to make room for this.

-CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

If it's nearby, maybe it's time to build a nice big garage at Grandma's.

I actually have one garage space, but it's 200 miles away in in my parent's home in Virginia Beach, and it's occupied with my only nice vintage Benz - a '72 250C.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

ARrrgh! I wish it wasn't so far away!!! I lucked out and bought mine for $250 at a pawnshop. With the exception of a little rust around the edges and the fuel pump recently breaking down, its been the best car I've ever owned. Wish I could get yours for parts!! I think my hubby and I are newbies when it comes to projects....only my '68 280 SE and a boat (thats been sitting for two years!)

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"Marilyn"
1968 280 SE

Yeah! I say the same thing when I see a nice, apparently rust-free one, for sale on eBay, Craigslist or this Forum, but it's usually in someplace like Phoenix, San Diego or Seattle!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Would like to have the Sunbeam...

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Gary


1973 450SL
1999 Silverado 4X4 Ext Cab
1999 Mercury Sable
1972 450SL Parts car

Previously owned keepers:
1967 MGCGT - 3L-6
1972 Mustang Fastback - 351C

Current Cylinder Index: 37

Let's not forget to mention friends cars! How is the rest of the 280C? I think the body on my UK 250CE is too far gone and seen Wodnek got a 280CE, i have new motivation to restore it and keep up with the Ken's.

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With best regards

Al

I sold my W108 last yr. Bad move on my part. Desperately looking for another one to restore.