1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe - Jay Leno's Garage

Jay takes us on a tour of his 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE that is the last of the coach built cars.

THE BEST OF JAY LENO'S GARAGE

JAY LENO'S GARAGE ON SOCIAL

ABOUT JAY LENO'S GARAGE
A new video every Sunday! Visit Jay Leno's Garage, the Emmy-winning series where Jay Leno gives car reviews, motorcycle reviews, compares cars, and shares his passion and expertise on anything that rolls, explodes, and makes noise. Classic cars, restomods, super cars like the McLaren P1, sports cars like Porsche 918 Spyder and Camaro Z28, cafe racers, vintage cars, and much, much more.

NBC ON SOCIAL:

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe - Jay Leno's Garage

Jay Leno's Garage

[AKOutback]

That's what I noticed about Leno, guy is obviously financially well off, but he hasn't lost the value of money, knows when things are expensive and isn't afraid to admit it.

[klauspohl]

My dad got his first 220 S in 1960 (the first in Hamburg) and it was fun to see him "showing off" in his new Mercedes! He was in 7th heaven and I had to clean the car every week to earn my keep. So I appreciate the sound when the doors shut and the wonderful smell of the leather seats. In Europe it had the "tear drop" lights, rather then double-stacked! What a great car it was!

[moparedtn]

These "solo" Jay videos are like Zen to me.
Just Jay and the car, with him telling us all sorts of little stories and giving us details of the restoration and of the cars' story.
He's often said he doesn't buy cars as much as he buys their stories.
I understand that completely and appreciate it.

[TheVagolfer]

For Jay to have worked at the Mercedes dealer when he was a kid and now to have the three nicest Mercedes they sold at the time must give him real sense of satisfaction and nostalgia.

[brainfulify]

It's very enjoyable to just relax and listen to Jay tell us and show us all about the car without any obnoxious music or editing. It really makes me feel like I'm there. Thanks for sharing!

[danialk]

Stunningly beautiful car. Thing of beauty, joy forever. Yes nothing but the best.

[briannumme]

I’ll take this generation of Mercedes than anything that’s in the showroom today!

[JohnBarrow]

She's a beauty.  Cars with classic lines like the 280SE never go out of style. I LOVE the fact that it's a coupe.

[XLCNick]

Nothing like a vintage Benz. It's a driving experience that modern cars cannot replicate.

[bcuz]

Mercedes built it's reputation from These cars. I got to drive one like this in late 70s. Ride quality and sound buffers was class leading. Thanks for sharing.

[JonBlondell]

Jay, it's nice to see you by yourself, talking about your car that you obviously love. I always dug these too!

[kangy]

"$450 for a knob from Germany, well we're not gonna do that"

I love it.

[jif.]

What a beautiful car from another era. Thank you Jay for sharing this awesome automobile.
I grew up with my dad driving us around in his 1960 Mercedes Benz 190D diesel with 4 on the tree, leather interior, and amber fog lamps. He bought it a couple months before I was born so it was the first car I knew the first 11 years of my life. I remember him buying diesel fuel at the boat harbor for 10 cents a gallon. To this day I still LOVE the smell of diesel exhaust. If I ever win the lottery I'd buy and restore a 1960 MB 190D in honor of my dad.

[profyousmithe]

Jay, as a pastor to a community of special needs individuals, I will never, ever, ever, own a car this exquisite. I was in the auto parts aftermarket for over thirty-two years and I know a few things about automobiles. Our company president owned many nice cars, one of them was a Mercedes. That was my dream car! The draw to me was the detail on the way the car was put together. The "fit and finish" of the car was beyond anything I had ever seen before. It totally blew me away.

Thank you for going through your garage and showing us some of the world's finest automobiles. I do not believe people understand the love and detail you have put into these projects! It blows my mind going through these with you! You do not realize how much of a blessing you are to people!

May God continue to truly bless you and please know you are in my prayers. Take care and thank you once again!

[happycat]

This car made me fall in love with Mercedes Benz. Our Greek neighbor when I was a kid had this model and year. I thought it was THE most luxurious car ever. It took me 45 years, but I finally got my Mercedes! 💕❤️every time I drive her it is pure joy 🤩 relaxing, solid, responsive, comfortable. I could go on and on😃it just makes me so happy. I’m with you Jay!

[ashleygordon]

Nice review. My brother and I bought almost the exact same car 5 years ago, only ours is right hand drive (RHD) as we are in Australia. We bought it in Sydney then flew down and drive it home to Brisbane- a distance of around 670 miles. Ours is the same colour as yours, but with navy blue interior. They only made 245 of these in RHD of which 58 came to Australia- ours was the 27th of those. Very fortunately ours has all the options - sunroof, BEHR a/c, 4 electric windows, floor mounted chrome plate auto shifter, Becker radio - all of these were optional extras in Australia. The drive back from Sydney was wonderful - no problems and even at the end of the trip you just want to keep driving. Survival rate at least herein Australia is epic, but the stock here has been diminishing over the past decade as English and Japanese collectors in particular buy them and take them home. This happens because due to climate our examples tend to have far less rust and are more solid so buyers come from other RHD markets. It has also been a fantastic investment, more than doubling in value since we purchased it, as evidenced by the regular offers. It’s not for sale and has a special place in our small collection which also includes a ‘65 220 SE cabriolet, a ‘69 280 SE sedan and an ‘81 107 SL. All wonderful cars. Keep up the great work and I enjoy the ‘pandemic editions’!

[gregorywills]

When I think of Mercedes, that is the type of car I think of. Beautiful car!

[edwardcallender]

Jay Leno is so on point when it comes too Classic cars .
I have owned two W-108 Mercedes Benz sedans my first was a great model 250 S, with the rare 4 spd transmission and Ivory Steering wheel she was a great highway cruiser and loved driving it on the open road, Straight Six with Twin Zenith Carbs and it had AC .
The Coupe, pillarless not easy too find these days . especially the 3.5 Small block V-8,
the 250 S, SE ; and 280 S, SE were bullet proof engines that would easily go 250, 000 and up before ever needing too be rebuilt and very reliable . I drove mine daily for years in the 1990's, it was so much fun to drive and people were always curious and asking me questions about the car .
Today I drive a CL 500 Pillarless Coupe but I tell you what ..if I can find a deal out there
I would definitely buy one of those Classic Mercedes from 1966 -71 .
Thanks for this article Jay ...really Nice !
Ed Callender, Mercedes enthusiast

[PaulZink]

These coupés are also among my favorite cars, and like Jay, for personal reasons also.

When I was in high school in the 1960s, my father ordered, via a Daimler-Benz connection of his, a customized 1967 250SE coupe (the 6-cylinder predecessor to this car, but otherwise identical, except for more Zebra-wood trim, such as the entire instrument nacelle). Picked it up at the factory in Europe with his business partner and drove it around Europe for a bit before having it shipped home to New England.

This Mercedes was equipped, as specified, with a 4-speed manual (on the floor), was finished in ivory-white lacquer—which made my dad me made me wash with a bucket of warm water and kerosene!

Most impressive of all, the coupé had a natural tan pigskin interior‚ including not only the full seats, door panels, kick panels, dash top, etc, but the entire headliner. When you got inside, it smelled like you were in a Crouch & Fitzgerald attaché case: the car defined "Posh".

[MrMustangrick]

My parents had a 280 SE 4.5 sedan. As a kid I thought it was so cool, learned to drive in it.