Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 280 › 280 SEL 3.5 special protection version (W 109) · Royal, state & papal · 1971–1972

Mercedes-Benz
280 SEL 3.5 special protection version (W 109)

Factory-armoured version of the 280 SEL 3.5.

IDENTIFICATION CARD · MERCEDES-BENZ 280 SEL 3.5 SPECIAL PROTECTION VERSION (W 109) 1971–1972
No licensed photograph yet. Photographs are published only when their licence permits it.
28BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
28 Built
Years
1971–1972
Engine
Front, longitudinal; vertical; 8-cylinder 90-degree V · 3,499 cc / 3.5 LFactory: 3,499 cc
Power
149 kW / 203 PSFactory: 200 hp · converted
Top speed
Not yet verified
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Paul Bracq
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 280 SEL 3.5 special protection version was a protected variant of the long-wheelbase saloon, built in only 28 cars between May 1971 and August 1972 and sold without a list price. The factory archive files it under the W 108 design name (W 108 E 35/1), not W 109 as in this page's title. It carried the 3.5-litre 200 hp V8 introduced in the 108 and 109 series from 1969 and in the 280 SE/SEL from 1971.

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityNot yet assessed
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityUltra Rare 28 · Built1,2
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Total model productionspecial protection versions 281,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The archive lists production from May 1971 to August 1972, a wheelbase of 2,850 mm and an overall length of 5,000 mm. The kerb and gross weights are stated only as depending on the extent of the special protection equipment, since each car was specified individually.

The 108 and 109 series, introduced in August 1965, carried a body by Paul Bracq. In autumn 1969 the 300 SEL 3.5 introduced the new 3.5-litre V8, and from March 1971 the 280 SE 3.5 and 280 SEL 3.5 used it with conventional steel-spring suspension, which is the basis of this version.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 280 SEL 3.5 special protection version (W 109).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 116 E 35 / 116.9801
LayoutFront, longitudinal; vertical; 8-cylinder 90-degree V1
Cylinders81
Displacement 3,499 cc / 3.5 LFactory: 3,499 cc1Archive adds: tax classification 3459 cc.
Bore 92 mmFactory: 92 mm1
Stroke 65.8 mmFactory: 65.8 mm1
Compression ratio9.5:11
Valvetrain1 intake, 1 exhaust valve per cylinder, overhead; 1 overhead camshaft per cylinder bank driven by double roller chain1
Fuel systemManifold injection, electronically controlled (Bosch D-Jetronic)1
Power 149 kW / 203 PSFactory: 200 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturer
Power at 5,800 rpm1
Torque 286 Nm / 29.2 kgmFactory: 29.2 kgm1Archive prints the unit as mkg (metre-kilograms, kgm).
Torque at 4,000 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxManual change-speed gear; dry single-disc clutch; central floor shift lever (4-speed automatic optional, steering-column selector)1
Gears41
Gear ratiosI. 3.96; II. 2.34; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 3.721Manual gearbox. Optional automatic: I. 3.98; II. 2.39; III. 1.46; IV. 1.0; R. 5.47.
Final drive3.461
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisFloor assembly / steel unit body1
Front suspensionDouble wishbone; coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension, torsion bar stabiliser; telescopic shock absorbers1
Rear suspensionSingle-joint swing axle with hydropneumatic compensating spring and level control; coil springs, supplementary rubber suspension1
BrakesHydraulic dual-circuit with vacuum booster, acting on front and rear wheels; four-wheel disc brakes; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels1
SteeringRecirculating-ball power steering1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,850 mmFactory: 2,850 mm1
Length 5,000 mmFactory: 5,000 mm1
Width 1,810 mmFactory: 1,810 mm1
Height 1,440 mmFactory: 1,440 mm1
Front track 1,482 mmFactory: 1,482 mm1
Rear track 1,485 mmFactory: 1,485 mm1
Kerb weightNot yet verified
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speedNot yet verified
0–100 km/hNot yet verified
Fuel tank 82 LFactory: 82 L1Tank is in the rear.

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The archive type is 108.058 and the design name W 108 E 35/1, with the M 116 E 35 / 116.980 engine; the page therefore groups the car with the 108 series although the long wheelbase (2,850 mm) is usually associated with the W 109 designation. Recorded dimensions are 5,000 mm length, 1,810 mm width and 1,440 mm height, on 6 1/2 J x 14 rims with 205/70 VR 14 tyres, with a four-speed manual as standard and a four-speed automatic optional. The weights vary with the protection equipment installed. No cached source gives chassis numbers or details of the protection fittings.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    280 SEL 3.5 (special protection version) / W 108 E 35/1, 1971 - 1972 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 28
    • Engine type : M 116 E 35 / 116.980 (Engine)
    • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 8 / 90° V (Engine)
    • Total displacement : 3499 cc (Engine)
    • Bore x Stroke : 92 x 65.8 mm (Engine)
    • Compression ratio : 9.5 (Engine)
    • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead (Engine)
    • Fuel system : Manifold injection, electronically controlled (Bosch D-Jetronic) (Engine)
    • Rated output : 200 hp at 5800 rpm (Engine)
    • Rated torque : 29.2 mkg at 4000 rpm (Engine)
    • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (standard); 4-speed automatic (optional) (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gear ratios : I. 3.96; II. 2.34; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 3.72 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Final drive ratio : 3.46 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Frame design : Floor assembly / steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : single-joint swing axle with hydropneumatic compensating spring and level control (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic dual-circuit ... four-wheel disc brakes (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Steering : Recirculating-ball power steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Wheelbase : 2850 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Length : 5000 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Width : 1810 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Height : 1440 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Front / rear track : 1482 / 1485 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 82 l (Engine)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 280 SEL 3.5 (special protection version) Level A
    • 28 special protection versions
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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