LOT 135 Ω
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Chassis no. 111.027-12-001186
Sold for US$318,500 inc. premium
Lot 135Ω
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5
The Audrain Auction|3 October 2025, 16:00 EDT|Newport, Rhode Island, International Tennis Hall of Fame
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5
Chassis no. 111.027-12-001186
Chassis no. 111.027-12-001186
3.5 Liter M116 V8 Petrol Engine
Column Shift Automatic Transmission
Independent Front Suspension
Four-Wheel Disc Brakes
* Matching numbers engine as confirmed by the Data Card
* Originally specified for the European market; now residing in North America
* Retains its original DB181 Light Beige (Hellbeige) exterior, complemented by a Beige (254) Interior
* Meticulous frame-off restoration completed more than a decade ago
* Accompanied by its original Data Card, owner's manual, service book, and a comprehensive service history with numerous receipts
* In the respected care of the same passionate owner since 2005
* Displays timeless elegance with just 144,000 miles recorded
THE MERCEDES-BENZ 280SE
The Mercedes-Benz 280SE represents an era of craftsmanship and engineering lost to time. When it was introduced, the vehicle was the epitome of luxury and refinement for the well-heeled. The 280SE was a noticeable step up from the standard Mercedes-Benz 230.6 in terms of both power and elegance. The adoption of the company's 'New Generation' body design in 1965 set the stylistic template for Mercedes saloons for the following decade, a crisp and elegant design lent extra vivacity in the case of 280SE in Cabriolet form.
Known as the W111, this model was powered by a series of advanced six-cylinder engines and was praised for its accomplished handling and ride quality due to a sophisticated chassis design. The 280SE marked one of the first uses of the renowned M116 V8 engine placed in the Mercedes-Benz passenger car. The 3.5 Liter M116 engine provided an extraordinary new level of smoothness and power that quickly earned the admiration of Mercedes aficionados worldwide.
The 280SE was the epitome of Mercedes-Benz's luxury lineage. Built in relatively low numbers, this car was often bought by those who appreciated the beauty of the Paul Bracq design and quality of the craftsmanship, which was seen as second to none. The 280SE, combining luxury with timeless elegance, performance, and design, is considered one of the most desirable saloons of its era.
Mercedes-Benz's reputation for manufacturing high-quality luxury vehicles was cemented with the 280SE. Its low production numbers further enhance their appeal today among collectors. With a verified history, paltry 44,000 miles on the odometer, and maintenance of its original color, the 280SE presented here only amplifies this collectible desirability.
THE CAR OFFERED
Originally specified for the European market, this elegant 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet carries a rich and well-documented history that traces its journey across continents and decades. Its accompanying Data Card confirms the presence of its matching engine, transmission, and trim, while also noting a distinctive factory specification of Light Beige (DB181) exterior with Beige interior (code 254), delivered new without radio or air-conditioning—a rare and desirable configuration underscoring its originality.
The car was purchased in the mid-1980s by a Montreal enthusiast from Miller Motor Cars in Greenwich, Connecticut, and remained in Canada for years, where it was carefully serviced and maintained until the late 1990s. In the early 2000s, its trail went quiet, only to resurface over a decade later when it returned from Morocco in 2013. At that time, it was acquired from Mansour Ismail by its most recent owner, who commissioned a comprehensive restoration aimed at preserving authenticity while ensuring lasting quality.
Restored faithfully in its original factory-correct DB181 Light Beige paintwork over Beige trim, the car today exudes understated sophistication and elegance. The craftsmanship of the restoration highlights the timeless Bracq-era design and hand-built quality, presenting the car in a condition that reflects both its heritage and enduring appeal.
Power comes from the original 3.5-liter M116 V8 engine paired with its column-shift automatic transmission—both confirmed matching numbers and still performing with the vigor that made this model so celebrated. With just 144,000 miles of recorded use, the car continues to benefit from careful stewardship and mechanical diligence.
Accompanied by its original Data Card, owner's manual, service book, and a binder of receipts documenting its extensive service and restoration history, this 280SE 3.5 is a truly international automobile—its provenance spanning North America, Europe, and North Africa. Timeless in design and thoughtfully restored to its factory colors, it remains a distinguished example of Mercedes-Benz luxury from the golden era of hand-crafted automobiles.
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