Eric Minoff
Vice President, Head of Department - US
LOT 136
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis no. 111027-12-003917 Engine no. 116980-12-003458
Sold for US$250,000 inc. premium
Lot 136
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
Chassis no. 111027-12-003917
Engine no. 116980-12-003458
Chassis no. 111027-12-003917
Engine no. 116980-12-003458
3,499cc SOHC V8 Engine
Bosch Mechanical Fuel Injection
200bhp at 5,800rpm
4-Speed Automatic Transmission
4-Wheel Independent Suspension
4-Wheel Vacuum Assisted Disc Brakes
*A cherished example with two family owners from new
*Highly optioned with floor shift, Behr air conditioning, Becker Europa radio
*Restored in its factory colors of Tobacco with Cognac leather
*Includes original manuals, data card, and stamped service booklet
*One of only 1,232 produced
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 280SE
The W111 line of coupes, cabriolets and sedens sat near the top of the Mercedes-Benz production range from the 1960s into the early 1970s. Early sedans were known for their 'Americanized' styling, which soon became outdated. Yet the elegant four-seat coupes and cabriolets outlived their befinned sedan stablemates by several years, thanks to designer Paul Bracq's timeless, sophisticated styling work. Assembled and hand-finished to a high standard in the legendary Sindelfingen factory using the finest materials, the W111 offered quality, luxury, and style on par with automobiles like the vastly more expensive Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow while delivering the refinement and engineering excellence expected of a Mercedes-Benz. In the autumn of 1969, a completely new engine gave the W111 series a new lease on life. The compact new 3.5-liter M116 V8 featured alloy heads and Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection providing a welcome boost in performance, particularly at highway speeds. Paired with a four-speed automatic gearbox, powerful disc brakes, and suspension tuned to toe the line between comfort and grip, the 280SE 3.5 delivered a driving experience that few contemporaries could match.
THE CAR OFFRERED
A splendid example of Mercedes-Benz's hand-finished flagship, this 1971 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet was purchased new in April, 1971 by Mrs. Maxine Duckworth. The Duckworths collected their new Mercedes-Benz at the factory in Stuttgart, embarking on an extensive tour of the Continent – exactly what the 280SE Cabriolet was designed to do. They accrued impressive mileage on their European adventure, documented by the first two service stamps – the first in Florence, Italy at 729 miles, and another in Madrid, Spain at 3,548 miles(!), before it was shipped home to Los Angeles. Options and equipment are befitting a range-topping 3.5 Cabriolet, and include electric windows, Becker Europa Stereo, automatic antenna, Behr air conditioning, and floor-mounted gear shift.
Back home in California, Maxine Duckworth treated her Mercedes-Benz as a member of the family, keeping it serviced religiously (reportedly every 2,000-5,000 miles) while enjoying it to the fullest, putting on 126,451 miles between 1971 and 1998. Mrs. Duckworth passed away in 1998, and ownership transferred to John and Audrey Duckworth, who owned it from 1998 to 2003. When John passed away, the 280SE was left to his daughter Kathy, granddaughter of Maxine. By then, the car had been moved to their home in Pendleton, Oregon, where the consignor found it advertised for sale in 2004.
With a deal in hand, the new custodian performed a cursory service prior to a trouble-free drive back to Southern California. In his care, the car has been sympathetically restored to its original splendor. A full bare metal respray in its original shade of Tobacco (423) was undertaken by Autobahn Autobody in Costa Mesa, California, while the brightwork was removed and meticulously polished by Shilling Metal Polishing in Santa Ana. The inner trunk area was also repainted in the correct satin black. Thornton's Auto Upholstery in Santa Ana, California, handled the interior restoration, using factory correct, high quality Cognac leather supplied by the respected specialist GAHH. Jeff's Mercedes Service of West Los Angeles handled the interior wood restoration, as well as a general mechanical service to include a new exhaust system, HVAC service, tuning, and detailing to ensure the car looks and performs as new.
Original books and manuals are included, as well as supporting documentation of the work performed under the care of the consignor. The Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5's desirability is born of a combination of rarity (just 1,232 Cabriolets built) and effortlessly luxurious operation. A handsome example with exceptional provenance and presentation such as this is surely a must-have for any Mercedes-Benz aficionado.
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