Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Has An Engine That Would Scare Off Many Modern Sports Cars out There

There are cars out there that come and go. And then, there is the 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE. The luxury sedan has just regained its old glory, now looking better than it did the day it rolled off the production line nearly six decades ago. It is a no-compromise build with no expenses spared, carried out with obsessive care.
 

Retro Design’s Daniel Valjevac worked his magic on the sedan that is now 57 years old, fully reimagining and transforming it from the ground up, without altering the classic DNA and timeless styling. What got out of the experts’ hands after thousands of hours of hard work at the company’s facility in Harrisburg, North Carolina, is one of the most performance-focused 280 SE builds to ever see the light of day.
 
The Mercedes is finished in Axalta Chromax XP Irish Green. It sports a shaved sunroof and modern LED lighting, while the wheels were inspired by the factory units with a twist. It rides on custom Evod Industries billet wheels, with floating hubcaps and logos that are stationary in motion.
 
The entire brightwork was refinished by Advanced Plating and shines like it did the day the car rolled off the production line in Sindelfingen, Germany, back in 1969. Expert technicians and specialists refined every inch of the exterior and the mechanical elements.
 

The 280 SE is powered by a modern AMG-sourced 5.4-liter M113 V8 engine, which once powered the 2006 C55 AMG. Now, the V8 reportedly puts out four times more horsepower than the stock 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine that the 280 SE had under the hood the day it drove through the factory gate. Simple mathematics reveal that would be a solid 640 horsepower.
 
A 5G-Tronic five-speed automatic transmission puts the power down. The overhaul involved a custom wiring harness and sealed motorsport-grade electrical system from ModernRacing, aftermarket ECU integration, and transmission management developed by SoundGerman automotive.
 
A stainless steel fuel system with a custom tank by Rick’s Tanks is also part of the plan, while a Ron Davis aluminum radiator provides the necessary cooling. The V8 roars out its drama through a Kooks stainless steel custom exhaust system.
 
The car sits on a completely reworked suspension and features a modern braking system, capable of withstanding the extra oomph. The system integrates an electronic brake booster and E-Stopp electronic park brake.
 

Retro Designs also redesigned the cabin of the 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE, bringing bespoke everything on board. Hand-fabricated elements are everywhere. The custom door panels integrate accent lighting, while the fully restored seats sport custom stitching and heating.
 
One-off Dakota Digital gauges offer the relevant driving data, while a modern sound system with an Audison amplifier and Focal speakers provides the soundtrack on board. A Vintage Air climate control keeps temeprature comfortable inside the cabin. The AC system was integrated while preserving the factory touchpoints.
 
Refined and sophisticated, this 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE would scare off many modern sports cars out there, but would do it in style. Late 1960s style.