The W108 S-Class has always been a personal favourite of mine. A very stately styled late 60’s BMW S-Class that drives very well and doesn’t break the bank. This very car has a quality that is seldomly seen and is very much cost-prohibitive to reproduce. The car was sold new through Mercedes dealer Autostar S.p.A. in Rome, Italy to Mr. Mario Bitonti from Lecce, Trieste on the 20th of May 1970. He drove on plates LE-124652, these are still with the car. Mr. Bitonti owned this car up to 2014, as documented in the original Italian Libretto (registration). The original Mercedes ‘Wagenkarte’ / Datacard is present which documents the car’s VIN, original engine number (still there, matching), transmission number, paintcode and interior code. All correct.

We have recently found and bought this car in the Rome area where it had been restored in the last few years. We have brought the car to Oldenzaal and we we’re amazed by the condition. The car wears all original bodypanels and has perfect panelgaps. The doors, fenders and lids shut perfectly. The body has been repainted once and this was done beautiful. The trim is in exellent condition. Rubbers, gaskets, trim, strips are in excellent condition. So is the brightwork and the chrome bumpers. Very nice trim around the car and windows. Nice taillights and clear headlights. The chrome grille looks excellent and gives the W108 a chic presence. The quality of the paint is beautiful, flawless. Super straight, no usermarks and like it left the paintbooth yesterday. Only test miles since restoration. A finish and quality that is usually not seen on this segment of cars.

The interior is also very original. Blue MB-Tex seats, rear seat and doorpanels in great condition – this material is very durable. It has the original headliner and beautiful blue carpets. A nice bakelite steering wheel and original instruments and switchgear. The swifter feels tight and hardly has any play. The wood on the dash is excellent and the upper dashpad is original and free of cracks.

The engine-bay shows original paint and perfect inner fenders and original metalwork. The 280 Fuel-injected engine starts and runs perfectly. Perfect cold-start, idle and power. It is the original engine (matching numbers). The engine is dry and runs excellent. The 4-speed transmission shifts very easily and precise. The engine received new oil, filters, new Bosch battery, new Beru ignition cables, plugs and points. Runs like a champ! The condition of the undercarriage is something else. Very clean, very original and correct. It doesnt show any signs of welding and features excellent floors, rockers and jackpoints in original condition. The steel wheels have their beautiful caps and are shod in 2022-datecode Michelin MXV tyres.

During the restoration the trunk was repainted in it’s correct matt/semi-gloss black shade. A new trunk-seal was installed and a reproduction trunk-mat was placed. It shows excellent bodywork, all original and without any (rust)damage. The sparewheel, jack and tool are present.

The car comes with the original Wagenkarte (Datacard), Owner’s manual, service book, parts catalogue, original Italian Libretto and some invoices and receipts.