Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 131
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis no. 11102712001022
Sold for €276,000 inc. premium
Lot 131
Desirable floor-shift example
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
Chassis no. 11102712001022
Chassis no. 11102712001022
• Mercedes-Benz's flagship model
• V8-engined open top 4-seat summer cruising
• Stunning dark green with cognac interior
• In Sweden since 1991
'Exclusive' is a much bandied-about word in the classic car world, but it is a most apt description of the Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5. Why? Because at $13,500 in 1970 its price was not only $3,500 more than that of the equivalent Mercedes-Benz sedan but also more than double that of a Cadillac Deville Coupé! Commonplace it was not.
The ultra-luxurious 280 SE Coupé/Cabriolet and 300 SEL saloon were the models chosen by Mercedes-Benz to launch its magnificent new 3.5-litre V8 engine in September 1969. An over-square design featuring a cast-iron block and aluminium-alloy cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft, this all-new, state-of-the-art power unit produced 200bhp courtesy of Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorised ignition.
The new V8 engine had particularly smooth running characteristics and endowed the 280 SEs with performance superior to that of many out-and-out sports cars. Thus equipped, the Coupé/Cabriolet was good for 200km/h with 97km/h reachable in 9.5 seconds, a substantial improvement on the six-cylinder version's figures. As befitted top-of-the-range luxury models, the 280 SE 3.5 Coupé and Cabriolet came equipped with automatic transmission, power windows, and a stereo radio as standard.
Significantly, the 280 SE 3.5 was to be the final model featuring this long-established and much-admired body style. It was truly Mercedes-Benz's flagship model, representing status, luxury, and reliability. Today these last-of-the-line classics are highly sought after by discerning Mercedes-Benz collectors.
Sold new to Connecticut, USA, this desirable 'floor shift' 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet was delivered new in a lovely shade of dark green and had only owner in the USA up to 1991. In that year the Mercedes moved to Sweden where it was kept by one owner until 1998. The car was then sold to another owner in Sweden where it remained until 2010. At around that time the Mercedes was restored and converted to EU specification. The works included overhauling the engine and gearbox, re-trimming the leather interior, and installing a new soft-top. Unfortunately there are no invoices available.
In 2010 the car was sold to the next custodian, still in Sweden, who kept it until recently. He carried out a complete respray in the original colour and had the car serviced regularly. Only driven approximately 7,000 kilometres since its arrival in Sweden in 1991, this well-maintained car is ready to be used. A rare and powerful four-seat open tourer, in a delightful colour scheme, this top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet is offered with Swedish registration documents.
• V8-engined open top 4-seat summer cruising
• Stunning dark green with cognac interior
• In Sweden since 1991
'Exclusive' is a much bandied-about word in the classic car world, but it is a most apt description of the Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5. Why? Because at $13,500 in 1970 its price was not only $3,500 more than that of the equivalent Mercedes-Benz sedan but also more than double that of a Cadillac Deville Coupé! Commonplace it was not.
The ultra-luxurious 280 SE Coupé/Cabriolet and 300 SEL saloon were the models chosen by Mercedes-Benz to launch its magnificent new 3.5-litre V8 engine in September 1969. An over-square design featuring a cast-iron block and aluminium-alloy cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft, this all-new, state-of-the-art power unit produced 200bhp courtesy of Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorised ignition.
The new V8 engine had particularly smooth running characteristics and endowed the 280 SEs with performance superior to that of many out-and-out sports cars. Thus equipped, the Coupé/Cabriolet was good for 200km/h with 97km/h reachable in 9.5 seconds, a substantial improvement on the six-cylinder version's figures. As befitted top-of-the-range luxury models, the 280 SE 3.5 Coupé and Cabriolet came equipped with automatic transmission, power windows, and a stereo radio as standard.
Significantly, the 280 SE 3.5 was to be the final model featuring this long-established and much-admired body style. It was truly Mercedes-Benz's flagship model, representing status, luxury, and reliability. Today these last-of-the-line classics are highly sought after by discerning Mercedes-Benz collectors.
Sold new to Connecticut, USA, this desirable 'floor shift' 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet was delivered new in a lovely shade of dark green and had only owner in the USA up to 1991. In that year the Mercedes moved to Sweden where it was kept by one owner until 1998. The car was then sold to another owner in Sweden where it remained until 2010. At around that time the Mercedes was restored and converted to EU specification. The works included overhauling the engine and gearbox, re-trimming the leather interior, and installing a new soft-top. Unfortunately there are no invoices available.
In 2010 the car was sold to the next custodian, still in Sweden, who kept it until recently. He carried out a complete respray in the original colour and had the car serviced regularly. Only driven approximately 7,000 kilometres since its arrival in Sweden in 1991, this well-maintained car is ready to be used. A rare and powerful four-seat open tourer, in a delightful colour scheme, this top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet is offered with Swedish registration documents.
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