Introduced in 1961 and running through 1971, the Mercedes 280 SE Coupe wasn’t just a grand tourer for the well-heeled. In fact, it was the direct bloodline that eventually gave us the S-Class. So when North Carolina’s Retro Designs announced its latest commission in honor of its 15th anniversary, they went above and beyond the call of duty. This is a fully reimagined 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe that the shop claims is the fastest example of its kind ever built, and the numbers behind that claim are hard to argue with.
FROM FABRICATION SHOP TO RESTOMOD AUTHORITY
Founded in 2009 by Daniel Valjevac, Retro Designs started as a custom metalwork shop in Concord, North Carolina, not far from Charlotte’s motorsports corridor. What began as straight fabrication mods evolved quickly into full-scale builds, restomods, and bespoke commissions. Today, the shop is known for ambitious projects across the spectrum, like C2 Corvettes, K5 Blazers, Porsche 911s, and now, a German classic with serious muscle stuffed under its hood. The 280 SE is arguably their most complex European build to date and a clear signal that Retro Designs is a force to be reckoned with.
THE MECHANICAL CASE
The original 2.8-liter inline-six that powered the stock 280 SE made around 160hp, which was respectable for 1969, but obviously less so today. Retro Designs replaced it with a hand-built, naturally aspirated AMG 5.4-liter M113 V8 sourced from a 2006 Mercedes C55 AMG, purchased new directly through a Mercedes dealership and paired with a Mercedes 5G-Tronic 722.6 five-speed automatic. The decision to keep it all in the Stuttgart family wasn informed by the 722.6’s compact footprint, meaning the transmission tunnel remained untouched.
The M113 V8 has been tuned to approximately 640hp. That’s four times the output of the car it replaced. The chassis is a bespoke unit rebuilt around revised suspension geometry and Brembo brakes to manage the newfound power. This being a one-off commission, Retro Designs didn’t disclose many performance specs as of yet.
THE ART OF RESTRAINT
The body has been refinished in Porsche Irish Green, a color Retro Designs chose specifically for its classic, non-era-specific feel. Meanwhile, the sunroof has been shaved for a cleaner roofline. Every piece of original chrome, from the bumpers to the grille to the mirror and lights, all stays intact. The one standout addition is a set of custom Evod Industries billet wheels inspired by the original steel hubcaps, complete with floating Mercedes emblems that stay upright while the wheel spins. At $20,000 for the set, they’re probably the most expensive cosmetic detail here.
STUTTGART FEEL, MODERN FUNCTION
Inside, the same philosophy holds. The original dash, wood panels, chrome switchgear, and gauge cluster surround are all retained. Where Retro Designs made changes was in the details, such as Dakota Digital gauges that were crafted as replicas of the originals. Also, the cabin received fresh brown leather upholstery throughout, and custom door panels were fitted with subtle accent lighting. The Vintage Air HVAC system was integrated into the original dash and firewall without modification to either, and a modern JL Audio head unit sits discreetly in the center stack. The only critique we have is that, for a half-million dollar build, we’d have liked to see a bit more ambition with the audio setup, but the commitment to factory-first aesthetics clearly took precedence.
SPEC SHEET
Model: 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe (W111) Restomod
Builder: Retro Designs (Concord, NC)
Engine: AMG 5.4L Naturally Aspirated M113 V8 (from 2006 C55 AMG)
Output: ~640 HP
Transmission: Mercedes-Benz 5G-Tronic 722.6 5-Speed Automatic
Chassis: Bespoke, with revised suspension
Brakes: Brembo
Wheels: Custom Evod Industries Billet (floating hubcap design)
Exterior Color: Porsche Irish Green
Interior: Brown leather, Dakota Digital gauges, Vintage Air HVAC, JL Audio
Edition: One-off
Price: $500,000
PRICING & AVAILABILITY
The 1969 Mercedes 280 SE restomod is available now as a one-off commission listed for sale at $500,000. For more information, reach out directly to Retro Designs.
Recap
1969 Mercedes 280SE Restomod by Retro Designs
North Carolina-based restomod shop Retro Designs just dropped a 1969 Mercedes 280 SE with a 640-horsepower AMG V8 under the hood — and somehow, it still looks nearly identical to the day it rolled off the line in Stuttgart.
