The 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 4.5 was the period equivalent of today's S-class. It's perhaps the best and most attainable example of Stuttgart's golden-age greatness. Internally designated W108, the big four-door first came into the world in 1965 powered by a 146-hp, 2.5-liter six-cylinder and was dubbed 250S/SE. In time-honored Mercedes-Benz fashion, the following six years saw the W108 receive a host of different six-cylinder powerplants, a long-wheelbase variant (code-named W109), coupe and convertible body styles, and no fewer than three different overhead-cam V-8s. In 1972, the engine swapping came to a head. That year, Stuttgart gifted the short-wheelbase, four-door W108 with V-8 power - a 230-hp, 4.5-liter unit derived from the 3.5-liter engine first seen in the 1970 280SE coupe and convertible. This combination, sold stateside for only one model year, offered the best of both worlds, pairing the nimble chassis of the short-wheelbase model with some of the thrust of the 300-hp, long-wheelbase, $15,000 300SEL 6.3. What once was a plodding, low-powered autobahn cruiser had morphed into a torque-packed sport sedan with all-day-long, 125-mph legs. This particular car is a wonderful driver that has been with the same owner since 2004. Showing only 66,762 original miles, the car is an all original time piece that still retains its original colors and interior. The paint on the car is in very nice, original condition and shows no major imperfections. The grill does have a small dent in it as you can see in the photos. Both front and rear bumpers are in great condition with no notable damage showing to either. The same goes for the stainless trim surrounding the car. Inside, the interior is all original with no major signs of wear. There are a few places on the wood dash that shows a small bit of bubbling but the wood is solid. Dash is solid as well as all of the seats which show no rips or tears. Carpet is solid as well as the headliner which only shows a bit of staining. Under the hood, the impressive 4.5 liter is very clean and runs out great. The engine compartment shows no damage and is in nice, original condition. Connected to the automatic transmission, the car runs great and goes down the highway very smooth. These are truly 100mph car's that will cruise all day and still have plenty of power left over. The miles show 66,000 which is said to be original for the car but we have no documentation to support the mileage. The VIN number is 10806712007272 and is being sold on a clean Illinois title.