1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SE: The Blau Coupe

Often confused for its four-doored siblings, the Mercedes-Benz W111 Coupe is about as stately as cars come. The first of many a great pillar-less coupe with a three-pointed star on its nose, the W111s are arguably among the most regal automobiles ever produced; here is a car designed to be let into the driveway via remote-controlled wrought iron gates.
For the owner of this 1968 280SE 3.5 Automatic example, Jayesh Patel, it’s all about the luxury and the history embedded in this big coupe. It’s got an automatic gearbox, and while that may leave heel-toe enthusiasts wanting, you don’t buy these cars for their agility and sportiness. This is the ultimate cruiser, a leather-swaddled land yacht that is equal parts engineering triumph and sensory indulgence.
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Drive Tastefully®

[@graphitedak04]

This guy has exquisite taste, his cars and home are so elegant.

[@stocksxbondage]

E. P. He seems humble about it too, despite growing up in wealth or upper middle class

[@markprela2635]

8

[@markprela2635]

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[@markprela2635]

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[@markcrowley65]

Exactly. It's a sublimely beautiful car. Class.

[@notaberger_3216]

The interior design is simply amazing

[@muarrifalwazir1828]

Yup, time never win to beat the classic beauty, even the design has been aged but still pretty nice to look at

[@MarquettDavon]

I have a 67 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow perfectly restored and I know what this man is speaking of. The experience is a joy every single ride.

[@fthyme87]

The overall quality of this timeless classic is simply amazing.

[@larstragl146]

In my opinion the most beautiful model Mercedes has ever built.

[@PaulZink]

I agree 100%, although I give the nod to the Cabriolet version of the same.

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

Hear, hear!

[@sankalproy442]

300SL, can't get over it. But a close second for me

[@PaulZink]

@@sankalproy442 Well, no one can fault you for that choice.

[@michaelmeliambro5117]

Still not saying much when you compare it to an original Mercury Cougar XR-7.

[@udaikandalama9136]

What a gorgeous car, built at a time when a ride in one of these was just sublime. All the pre 1995 Mercs are worth restoring just because they are engineering Marvels!!!!!

[@RonSpwan11]

The cars in the show are incredible, but the film making is brilliant and breath thaking.

[@africanotomotiv]

Never a truer word has been spoken @RonSpwan.

[@johndavidson3424]

Yeah 720/1080p video Film looks fantastic, clear and is extremely detailed.

[@tkreitler]

5:44 I love the sound of the door closing. What a beautiful tank of a car!

[@rosegold-beats]

It sounds like a smack in the face

[@junkorbust9498]

I’m fortunate to have a 220SE Coupe. It’s the crown jewel of my collection for sure. Thanks for showing the car, it is a fantastic film.

[@TheRealMJ89]

Im a bmw fan but nothing beats classic Mercedes

[@BlueHopi144]

BMW of the late 60's were great too

[@davidviner4932]

You should drive a 635csi

[@juxtaposeism]

A classic Citroen DS/ID does ;-)

[@alf279]

Same here mate. I'd trade my beloved BMW for one of these any day.

[@moviebod]

@David Viner Or better still, an M635CSi

[@rare6499]

This was when Mercedes Benz really stood for the best or nothing. Wish we had cars this beautiful being built today!

[@bravolima7766]

A real gentleman owning a legendary benz. One of the most beautiful movie done by Petrolicious. Nothing can't be added to the description of his 280SE. Thank you Sir

[@erichakanson7010]

I know most people gravitate towards the Pagoda when looking at Mercedes-Benz's of this era but I prefer the 280SE. Honestly I'm more of a BMW and Porsche fan but I will admit I've always thought the 280SE was one of the few cars of any era that could be both "handsome" and "pretty" at the same time. It simultaneously had both masculine and feminine aspects. Wonderful car made even better by a great owner and fascinating history.

[@VSautomotive]

Very well put. I'm also more of a BMW guy, but I believe we should appreciate all good cars, no matter the make.

[@kaydesign]

I also have a Coupe, metallic gray with a blue interior. Your description suits the car very good. Compliments!

[@ZeeBri]

Possibly the only man who enjoys driving through London

[@kailassable9202]

X,#💐🎂☺️😊👍👌👌💐💐🎂

[@michaeld7409]

I actually enjoyed it in my now old Volvo 940 when i spent my holidays in the UK. But i admit, i wouldn‘t want it daily :)

[@amablereneaguiluzxiv6973]

Try driving in Manila compared to London. You'd say 'London Please' after a few minutes. Lovely Mercedes! Kudos to the owner and production team.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

I moved out of London 40 years ago. I still thoroughly enjoy driving all over that city.

[@micki1944]

Be Sure, it is not a bit better in Berlin 😂

[@SuperfloDee]

This Gentlemen and This Car were Destined for each other...what are the chances..the correct colour and the car being close by for a very long time..what a beautiful Object🙏👍

[@hashadable]

Damian Grover ~ The gent, the car, and his property fulfills one another, a kind of status symbol An example of a good life to satisfaction.

[@mattylad388]

That,s England for you.

[@TommyRibs]

I have always been a fan of '60s/'70s Mercedes. This car is amazing.

[@Matt_from_Florida]

5:45 That Mercedes shut sound. Something my grandfather taught me when I was five years old.

[@austinado16]

Mr. Patel, thank you so much for sharing your beautiful W111 Coupe', as well as your home, and for taking us along on a drive! The car is absolutely fabulous, and it's history is just flat amazing. Petroliscious, you did a beautiful job capturing the car with best backgrounds, and outstanding natural light, so as not to wash out that blue, or lose the details of the gorgeous lines of the body. Been enjoying your videos for a few months now, and was hoping you'd eventually do a W111 body. In 1991/92, I was working for an independent German car repair shop, and the owner was driving his father's W108 (the 4 door version of Mr. Patel's Coupe). The W108 had been purchased as a special order from the factory, black with red interior, sliding metal sunroof, and 4 on the floor. It was a '68, so a 280SE, with the mechanically injected 6. He allowed my girlfriend and I to take it up the California coast, on HWY1, all the way to Monterey, for a little luxury weekend getaway. It was amazing and I had to have one. A few months later, in early '92, I found a '66 Coupe with sliding metal roof, and 4 on the floor, in downtown San Francisco, and still have it. Absolutely a joy to drive, and the look of the car, especially with the windows down, is just fantastic. Mercedes engineers put a lot of safety features into these, and the bodies were extensively tested. I believe they are considered to be the, or one of the, earliest cars to have crumple zones. They used to take one car and crash it into a large concrete bunker (I think it was powered down the track with a small rocket on the roof) and then hit it from behind with another car, and then the engineers would walk up and open all the doors just to prove how strong the passenger compartment was, and how good the crumple zones worked. They also had a rollover test, again, I think before anyone else did, where they ran the car up a steep ramp for only one side's wheels, causing the car to fly through the air, twist, and crash down onto the roof. Needless to say; hidden under that 1950's era American car poleless coupe inspired design, is a structural masterpiece.

[@ozsmiley07]

That door slam at 5:45 is the perfect sound

[@johang7498]

What's not to love about that car?: the question that summarizes this video. Indeed, what a shapely and stately car, that's extra special with the history attached to it. It seems to have found its rightful place, so to speak.

[@KiaAlvin]

Feels good to be watching this from Kenya.

[@konnex]

Kabisa!

[@davidshitakha5864]

wonder what happened do his Dads Merc..

[@stephaniemwaura9623]

i was surprised when i heard "Nairobi"

[@mohamedawale4685]

Feels even better to find more Kenyan petrolicious fans here!!

[@iamandreja]

I would like to go to Kenya some day :) Regards from Serbia, friends!

[@therainforest4314]

I had a 1970 250 C 2-dr. Mercedes back in the early 90's. I loved that car and everything about it. :)

[@AbdulQadir-vl4bz]

The best MB commercial I have ever seen!!!!

[@andrewparke4608]

This guy has two of my dream cars- a 280SE and a Lancia Delta Integrale!

[@magnat7]

This car is the best definition for old Benzs. LOVE IT!

[@EricLehner]

Hello from Canada. Mr. Patel seems to be a real gentleman. The car has the perfect home now!

[@marcscordato4385]

A new Benz is a fabulous automobile but the old ones have class and Style that the new ones just can’t match . I love stacked headlights as well as pop up head lights an era gone by. Stunning old Benz just lovely!

[@stevo63n]

What a beautiful Mercedes.Absolutely stunning

[@xanderfrench4011]

Who knew a Mercedes would look so slick in blue?

[@crashtaken2spooky4me50]

Wir deutschen

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

I've seen some newer mercs in a similar deep blue and it's glorious. I'd have one in that color if I were to buy one

[@bigblockcutlass]

We have a long time customer at my shop with a '68 280SL in the same blue, black interior. It makes me smile every time he brings it in for service.

[@JmadeInvest]

@@bigblockcutlass whats the color name / code? Thanks

[@pavledjordjevic2073]

@@crashtaken2spooky4me50 Alle Deutschen? Oder nuhr die Schwaben? I’m only kidding actually.

[@NostalgicNightRide]

I'm in love with your videos. I honestly watched almost all. Petrolicious brought to my life sense of caring, love for classics and the fact that I started to drive tastefully. I literally love washing my Shadowline BMW E90 on saturdays mornings and drive plenty kilometres with my wife and kids only to drink coffe in beautiful place. I'm really sorry you guys stopped filming - every video is big part of my mature life right now. Every video brings another vibe, story, sense of style and different shades of the same love to cars. Cheers!

[@Desertduleler_88]

Always had a soft spot for this model, classic lines of a time long gone.

[@marwood1969]

I never tire of hearing guys like this talk about their cars and why they love them. It’s just great.

[@Dlwinborne]

It is a magnificent Automobile. My best friend’s Dad owned a ‘71 280 SE Converitble (original owner). We would tool around in it when we were in high school in the late ‘70’s, not knowing how amazing a piece of art it was. My friend Michael had it fully restored and recently sold it for a tidy sum of money because he never drove it. I could not afford to buy it, but I would have loved to have been the owner of what I consider to be a “Museum Piece!” 😊❤

[@basithph8958]

I miss old Mercs when they were built so good

[@jiffjiffernson7292]

The proper use is well, and you lack any punctuation usage. I miss when people could communicate. It's the least to be expected here on Presumption-licious

[@jlopez1017d]

Car companies got smart and realized that you can’t sell cars if your cars never break down

[@pihermoso11]

Ric Flair never failed to mention Mercs in his smack talks: I will drive nothing but Mercedes or Rolls Royce.... Magnum TA, riding around in that funky motorcycle.. why don't you get a mercedes benz and be a real man!! WOOOO!!!

[@iKone911]

@@jiffjiffernson7292 LOL. Are you here to fix grammar on the internet? Start with capitalizing your (user) name! And you should probably use apostrophes for the word 'well'. But don't ask me. English is only my third language, so I'm sure I've made some mistakes as well. ;)

[@gibthekid]

"Built so well" Stay off the interwebs until you learn the language...

[@prestigewoodworks]

I remember watching this video for the first time, it was the beginning of my love of classic Mercedes’

[@samokoro8264]

Mercedes is class, Mercedes is life, Mercedes is timeless, ageless and Mercedes is taste. nothing like it.

[@christiansanden8005]

The old ones❤️❤️❤️

[@Taugtaug]

The most beautiful mercedes ever built!

[@touraneindanke]

Finally a classic Mercedes with original wheels. That’s perfection 🍀

[@hollowaysteve]

Very nice collection. Ruf 964, 993 (911), Integrale Evo and of course the Mercedes. A pretty tidy drum too. A man of good taste, and wealth...

[@charlieman8503]

This is one of my favourite cars. And this one is a beautiful example. Would love to see it in person some times

[@MaxSpeedMike]

I love that you take us back in time with these videos! Congrats on the hellcat-horsepower amount of scrubscribers!

[@papn123]

the hellcat has 707k hp? wow

[@tissotjean-baptiste3804]

I like how the film was shot in London, it somehow differs from the other videos and brings something new. I love it !

[@alexandersb7858]

Classic Mercedes cars are out of this world, they are simply amazing! 💙💙💙

[@oisin347]

The RUF in the garage beside it.

[@Polygonblasting]

And the Lancia Delta and another Porsche in the other ... Living the dream

[@rahulsudhir666]

@@Polygonblasting Absolutely! A fine lil garage right there!

[@MaxArg1988]

@@Polygonblasting sleeping outside, poor thing

[@Polygonblasting]

@@MaxArg1988 I know! I'll happily re-home it

[@Anaxarxes]

@@MaxArg1988 Its a 993, too :(

[@tuomopoika]

It is kind a weird that the interior of the car doesn't look outdated at all. I don't mean just the condition of it but the design. I guess class is always in fashion.

[@k.j.g.9601]

Elegance never goes out of style

[@jlopez1017d]

Simple yet classic goes a long way all these new cars with all these screens will be outdated in 10 years that’s why gimmicks don’t impress me I’ll take a simple well executed interior over flashy anytime

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

@@jlopez1017d Exactly. Clean and Elegance over the crap we have today.

[@christiansanden8005]

@@qwertyui90qwertyui90 👍 👍 👍 👍 👍

[@dusan1217]

No one will ever be so passionate about electric car. Ever.

[@hackerino9707]

Have you already seen the honda e prototype? It's beautiful designed Reminds me of the 80s a bit

[@jlopez1017d]

Hacke Rino looks like an early 70’s Civic but electric cars will never be able to replicate the magic of an old fashioned combustion engine car they have no character they just go.

[@muarrifalwazir1828]

We don't know yet, let market decide.

[@jlopez1017d]

@@muarrifalwazir1828 Tesla has their fanbase but most people want a Tesla as a status symbol. Once you buy the Tesla then what all you can do is drive the car you can't tinker with it your average person does not even know how a Tesla work. At least before you could have the slowest car but you would form a bond with it because you were able to look at it and understand what makes it run and anyone could easily do simple repairs

[@alf279]

We surely won't. But that's the case with most of the new internal combustion cars as well. Small displacement + turbo here, overload of safety tech and driving assists there, overengineered driving dynamics, fake exhaust sounds - new cars are mostly synthetic. They are not so simple anymore, and that leads to less character. You can't tinker with it, you probably don't understand how all the tech works. It is a machine you don't understand, you just use it until it lasts, and then get another one. For everyday commutes, I use a new car, too. More comfortable, more relaxing. But I will never be attached to it. Even though it's a fairly powerful vehicle with many nice features. I still use my old weekend BMW convertible whenever I can.

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

What a unique couple, nice inside & out, that unique blue paint just adds to the personality, plus it is a right hand drive, plus it has remained in London,all. It*s life

[@pauldavies9464]

All great car makers have over time made a model that stands head and shoulders above the other cars they produce and this is one of those, thanks for sharing.

[@jimfling2128]

I had a 1963 220SEC for about 10 years. It was a European model with a 4 speed manual gearbox and a sunroof. It was completely original. I restored the interior including the wood. I rebuilt the engine at 150,000 miles and drove it an additional 50,000 miles. It was so silent people would step out in front of it. It also had little rolling friction it would coast for more than a mile.

[@iiredeyeiiredeye1569]

Another stunning video from Petrolicious. There's something classically beautiful about a Mercedes from this era, a timeless elegance that unfortunately has left their designs nowadays. I think in 40 yrs will will look at the cars of today in the same way as we look at computers from the 80's.

[@ukwan]

The big Benz Coupe's don't get enough love, from the W187 through to the W217 they were all utterly amazing and the pinnacle of what Mercedes could do at the time, it's a real shame that lineage is now dead and they've given up on the big coupe.

[@e46M3_DakarYellow]

Those coupes looked so gorgeous

[@Sanpedranoazul]

The representation of an era when things were filled with character, beauty and most of all, well done! What a beauty!!! Congratulations Sr!!!

[@Porsche9174Ever]

The colour is just amazing! It has so many variations, it goes from almost steel gray with a touch of blue all the way up to light blue

[@ionacjohnj.59]

This car is AWESOME!!❤️

[@boblacks945]

I am now seventy years old. My first car back in 1975 was a beautiful 1967 Mercedes 300SE coupe with a stick shift. It was dark blue with a tan leather interior. It cost me only $4,150! My next car was a 1967 250SE coupe with a sunroof. Dark green wih tan leather. It cost me $7,500. Then I bought a 1960 220SE Mercedes convertible in white with red leather. It cost me $16,000 in 1983. Finally, i purchased a 1968 250SE convertible in cypress green with tan leather. It cost me $33,000 in 2000. Today, these cars are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in restored condition. I drove all of these cars on a daily basis. Now, I can only dream about my favorite Mercedes. P.S.- I saw a beautiful 300SL Gullwing on display in 1976. The asking price: $25,000. Current value is around $2,000,000.

[@erickimatu2082]

My heart stopped for a minute when he said he lived in Nairobi Kenya. Thumbs up from a classic car enthusiast in Kenya

[@peterkelly2785]

Paul Bracq is a genius! These cars are works of art, and the color combination of this car is gorgeous!

[@joachim55555]

I grew up in the 1970s in Germany. So many iconic cars. The cheap 200 diesel 4 door models of that car were also a great cruising experience. You felt like on top of the world.

[@peterbradshaw8018]

I am a Rolls Royce guy but with loads of respect for MBs o/ this vintage.

[@tankshot3256]

Gorgeous work of art

[@WillieJu]

God I love these mercs more than l love life ! Its probably the best looking car ever built, and there will never be anything as special as these ever again sadly ! I would give many of my body parts to get hold of one of these !

[@Thelotrfan06]

Am really happy to look an Indian origin guy to see in a Petrolicious video. You make us fall completely in love with every car you make a video of. The bond between a man and his car. Thank you so much for all your videos.

[@martinstremlow2997]

Quality , style , elegance , class and understatement in one package. This is just unique And no longer fashionable

[@PaulZink]

I always loved these cars. My late father had a 67 250 SE Coupé (cream with tan interior and a 4-speed manual on the floor), the difference being that the 250 had the 6-cylinder OHC inline engine, and the grille was the more upright and narrower grille rather than the new wide-mouth grille on the 3.5s. Also, the instrument pod was hand-shaped wood, matching the dashboard; Mercedes had to change that in 1968 to leather, to meet U.S safety regulations (wood could splinter in a crash - thanks, Ralph Nader…) My dad had a very old friend in Germany who had close ties to the factory. so he was able to order some custom details not ordinarily available, such as a "tweaked" engine (so he said), and natural tan pigskin upholstery everywhere in the car: seats (front and back and sides), door panels, dash topping, even the full headliner. You got in and it smelled like you were inside a pigskin attache case from Crouch & Fitzgerald.

[@GuileQwerty]

What a gent! ...and the man was cool too, great video.

[@hf7188]

Such a lovely shape, it's such a shame that most coupe cars from now have a flowing, fastback shape to them, i miss dearly the long tail/boot design in coupes. It gives such a greater statement and pose to the vehicle. Hoping for a comeback in he future.

[@TheWahyuwirawan]

I like the way he told us about his beloved car. His mercedes is one of a masterpiece in design and still works like it's brand new. His collections are incredible too. He already fulfilled his teenager-era dreams by collecting some great cars from that time (ruf, original range rover, lancia and this merc as his playground dreams). Really inspiring!

[@JonBlondell]

I've lusted after this car since the first one I saw, 40 years ago. And it was the only one I'd seen for quite a while. At a used Mercedes lot in San Antonio. It was on the line for over 3 years! ???

[@blueskylite]

If not the - , one of the most beautiful cars ever made!

[@andreasweber5638]

This Gentleman has got a few treasures sitting in his garages. 964,993,Delta Integrale , who knows what else. I call that an appreciation of sophisticated art. Cool chap

[@gorylatko]

Probably the best period in Mercedes car design? Love it.

[@ndiranguwanjohi3410]

I'm from Nairobi, Kenya too. Show some love🇰🇪

[@seanmcneill8899]

This has to be one the best owner car combination's I have ever seen on petrolicious , this Man was born to drive this car. What a sound man and what a car😎

[@abdulazizsaleh9567]

This is what you call.. a Dream Car ❤

[@richardshiggins704]

Simply sublime . Ein Meisterstück . Very interesting history both familial and automotive . Many years of health and happiness !

[@JustinSmith-ee9kp]

Love it, love it, love it. One of my favourite all time cars. Beautiful lines, just gorgeous inside and out. The owner is a great guy too, so passionate and a fab back story to the car.

[@zobry2xxx]

What can I say .... STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nessuno7510]

this car is simply majestic.

[@taylorjs2534]

I had a 1972 280 4-door. The view of the car (emblem, hood, fenders/wings) from the driver's seat, just as he described it, is what I remember most.

[@e.a.p3174]

I love those late 60's early 70's Mercedes, they are works of art.

[@dice-tq6ms]

pure automotive excellence

[@davebarron5939]

This car is virtually brand new 1968, beautiful car. And the perfect car, full size but still a two door! Doesn't get any better.

[@gabriellindstrom5963]

Simpler time when quality was on top!!!!! Just amazing!!!

[@mlee6136]

Man this car really grows on you.... it would be incredible in real life!....

[@craftwerk6762]

A dream of a car. I love the character of cars from the sixties so much. Congrats for such an amazing sculpture of these decade, Sir.

[@misterjt961]

man that gorgeous shade of blue!

[@africanotomotiv]

As per usual, Petrolicious done did it again! Thank you Petrolicious!

[@ronwhite8503]

Did it again.

[@africanotomotiv]

@@ronwhite8503 I'm fully aware how to write in the English language. My comment stands as I intended it. Thank you for your concern though. Cheers.

[@ekimnamtnuts]

Beautiful car and isn’t just wonderful to see that it has ended up in such deserving and appropriate hands! Well done sir!

[@brandenongkp]

my late dad used to drove the family with his S300 in 70s . till today i only drive a Mercedes .

[@vonrichthofen5734]

Good to see that such a special car ended up in the hands of someone who truely appreciates it. Great video.

[@virgilrytaar9083]

What a beautiful sight to see that car cruising around the big city. Bravo!

[@vmlelectronics]

This is a masterpiece!

[@Stevieboy130664]

Stunning car - beautiful colour. The quintessential Mercedes Benz.

[@NiteGambler]

Most owners of automobiles of this "specialty" would place in a air bubble and look at it while waiting for the right moment to sell with minimum mileage etc. This gentleman knows of his rare find and enjoys the daily travels with this jewel of a automobile. More people should follow his lead and live for today. Tomorrow never comes.

[@The_Jas_Singh]

Wonderful - thanks for sharing. My Dad had a 280 SE in Nairobi back in 1966. Sat Sri Akal.

[@bkahugu]

Much love from Kenya *🇰🇪*🇰🇪* 👍🏾

[@jeangt9865]

Kabisa

[@davidcruz8227]

Honestly nothing beats a classic car in its original form!

[@epicon6]

The interior is amazing!

[@letlive8014]

Reminds me of a similar experience of driving a Mercedes S class sedan of the same era. Wonderful car with a pleura of superlatives to justify its cost . . . sodium filled, stellite faced valves, (unless I'm mistaken it also had) alloy wheels to reduce un-sprung weight, 4 wheel disc brakes, fuel injection, all in an effort to make the car the most advanced that it could be. More substance than just flash. . . your video brought back great memories.