Resto-mod a W111 coupe?
As with any of these creations there are things I would change. Wheels too big - too much HP, etc, but the execution looks good.
The restomod world just received a massive wake-up call. Retro Designs, the premier restoration house based in Harrisburg, North Carolina, has officially pulled the silk off its latest masterpiece. The team took a timeless 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe (W111) and transformed it into a high-performance titan. This build isn’t just a restoration; it is a high-octane love letter to German engineering that seamlessly blends the elegance of the sixties with the brutal force of modern AMG power.
Founded in 2010, Retro Designs restores and modifies a wide selection of vintage automobiles ranging from classic Corvettes to European icons and beyond, all from the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Harrisburg, NC. For more information on Retro Designs, please visit www.retrodesignsnc.com.
As with any of these creations there are things I would change. Wheels too big - too much HP, etc, but the execution looks good.
The Ultimate Sleeper: Retro Designs Reimagines the 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE with AMG Power
The restomod world just received a massive wake-up call. Retro Designs, the premier restoration house based in Harrisburg, North Carolina, has officially pulled the silk off its latest masterpiece. The team took a timeless 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Coupe (W111) and transformed it into a high-performance titan. This build isn’t just a restoration; it is a high-octane love letter to German engineering that seamlessly blends the elegance of the sixties with the brutal force of modern AMG power.
A Hand Built Beast with 640 Horsepower of AMG Fury
While the original 1969 280SE was a pinnacle of luxury, its factory 160-horsepower inline-six was never meant for the drag strip. Retro Designs changed the narrative by swapping in a 5.4-liter naturally aspirated M113 V8 sourced from a 2006 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG and pairing it with a five-speed manual transmission. Through meticulous upgrades including a custom stainless steel exhaust by Kooks, a Ron Davis aluminum radiator, and an advanced aftermarket ECU, the team pushed this engine to a staggering 640 horsepower. This output represents four times the original factory power, making this perhaps the most capable W111 to ever hit the pavement.The Art of Restraint and Classic Style with a Modern Soul
What makes this build truly special is how Retro Designs maintained the iconic character of the W111. From a distance, it appears to be a perfectly preserved classic, but closer inspection reveals incredible bespoke details. The car rides on one-of-a-kind Evod Industries billet wheels that cost $20,000 for the set, specifically designed to mimic the original steel hubcaps with floating logos that stay upright while in motion. The body is finished in a deep, non-metallic Axalta Chromax XP Irish Green, a color chosen for its timeless appeal. To ensure a cleaner profile, the sunroof was shaved, and every piece of original chrome was meticulously restored to a mirror finish rather than replaced with modern alternatives.Luxury Meets Performance Inside the Stuttgart Cabin
Inside the vehicle, the classic “Stuttgart feel” remains intact while incorporating the comforts of a modern supercar. The cabin features custom-stitched heated brown leather seats restored to perfection and Dakota Digital gauges that look like period-correct replicas until they illuminate. For the audiophile, a stealth sound system featuring JL Audio, Audison amplification, and Focal speakers is hidden within the dash. Furthermore, a Vintage Air HVAC system was integrated into the original dashboard controls to ensure the interior stays ice cold even during high-performance summer drives.Engineering Excellence Hidden Beneath the Skin
To handle the massive jump to 640 horsepower, Retro Designs didn’t just drop in a new engine; they re-engineered the entire foundation. The car features a bespoke chassis with a fully reworked suspension and a high-performance Brembo braking system. An electronic brake booster and E-Stopp parking brake ensure that modern safety matches the car’s newfound speed. Power is delivered through a robust 5G-Tronic five-speed automatic transmission, which was selected because it fit the chassis perfectly without requiring intrusive modifications to the original center tunnel. This one-off restomod is the absolute definition of “the best or nothing,” offering the soul of 1969 with the heart-stopping power of a modern AMGFounded in 2010, Retro Designs restores and modifies a wide selection of vintage automobiles ranging from classic Corvettes to European icons and beyond, all from the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Harrisburg, NC. For more information on Retro Designs, please visit www.retrodesignsnc.com.
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it’s looks less the $20K to big of wheels and would be satisfied with the original straight 160HP six or maybe a more modern 217HP six. I think the color comb is great. Love the interior! I remember the plush seating in mine. 
