Mercedes W116 280S RHD rare

[Bryn320]

just got a W116 280S from SA, no rust at all 100k on the clock 76 model, just registered it and told by DVLA this is the only one registered in the UK, probably in Europe also as a RHD, apparently only the 280SE was sold here.

anybody know any different, these were sold to SA and AUS, Manufactured in Germany and part assembled over seas to avoid Tax on imports back in the 70s

 

[219]

The 280S , with carburettors , was not sold in the UK , although they were widely sold in Germany as taxis , chauffeur drive cars and the like to budget conscious customers , where S Class cars with 'poverty spec' including cloth ( or Tex if you were lucky ) seats , wind up windows , and the like were commonplace . These of course were LHD .

Rust free 116's are now something of a rarity here in the UK .

CKD ( knock down kits ) were shipped to various parts of the world for tax reasons - this included the US , India , SA , and even Ireland at various points . Of course , MB manufactured complete cars in South Africa from quite early on .

 

[Bryn320]

I was lucky with this one then as it has full leather interior and aircon, very happy with it though, I always wanted another one, I had in in SA in the 80s and loved it.