1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE in Amelia Island, Florida for sale in Yulee, FL
Vehicle Description Chassis No.
111.
027.
12.
004293 Mercedes-Benz vehicles of the 1960s and 1970s have a sterling reputation for being some of the best-engineered and supremely elegant cars of their day.
Launched in 1959, the W111/W112 series of luxury sedans, coupes, and cabriolets encapsulates the effortless elegance that made Mercedes-Benz of this era so revered.
The two-door W111 range initially consisted of 220 SE and 250 SE, with a second series arriving in 1967 and bringing with it the 280 - replacing the 250 as a result of the 2.
5-liter inline-six gaining 300 cc in displacement.
This later grew to the 3.
5-liter M116 V8 presented here, existing at the pinnacle of the W111 model hierarchy.
It was also equipped with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, a four-speed automatic transmission with fluid coupling, and a coil-sprung suspension, foregoing the complex and sometimes troublesome pneumatic suspension system on the W112 series.
While the sedans lost their tailfins in 1965 to adopt the squared-off styling then in vogue, subdued fins graced the rear wings of the two-door W111/W112 models for another six years until 1971.
The Cabriolet is also regarded as the last fully hand-built Mercedes-Benz, requiring as many as 16 hours to complete its manually-operated, multi-layered convertible top.
As a result, just 1,232 280 SE 3.
5 Cabriolets were produced in total, making it more exclusive than the fabled 300 SL Roadster.
Today, V8-powered 280 SE Cabriolets are among the most collectible models from a truly iconic period of Mercedes-Benz styling elegance and engineering prowess.
Crafted in May of 1971, this particular 280 SE 3.
5 Cabriolet was purchased through Mercedez-Benz of Beverly Hills later that same year.
Its original owner cherished the car for an impressive 31-year period, meticulously documenting the car's care through extensive service records and handwritten notes.
Noteworthy maintenance includes an engine rebuild in November of 1988 encompassing the replacement of pistons, valves, and rebuilt heads.
Another repair of note occurred in 1991 when the transmission underwent replacement.
Numerous service records also detail the consistent attention paid to the suspension, brakes, air conditioning, electrical, and various other systems over three decades of single ownership.
The 3.
5 Cabriolet was subsequently acquired by its second caretaker from Southern California in 2002, where its careful preservation continued.
During this 13-year ownership tenure, the car was driven sparingly with under 5,000 miles traveled, residing largely in storage until 2015.
It then passed into the custody of Bruce Canepa in Scotts Valley, California, where the Mercedes underwent a high-quality mechanical and cosmetic restoration.
The project commenced with the trimming of a completely new Cognac leather interior, meticulously fashioned to match the original specifications.
The gauges and clock were expertly restored, the chrome windshield frame trim re-plated, and the interior wood trim refinished to its former glory.
Furthermore, a brand-new top, along with renewed padding and headliner, was expertly crafted and installed in a painstaking effort to mirror the vehicle's original materials.
Finally, careful inspection and refurbishment of the mechanical systems, spanning the engine, suspension, steering, brakes, air conditioning, electrical system, transmission, and differential were performed as necessary.
An investment said to exceed $125,000 and spanning nearly 800 hours of mechanical and cosmetic work culminated in what is undoubtedly one of the most impeccably restored 280 SE 3.
5 Cabriolets in existence.
This superb example of a rare, hand-crafted Mercedes-Benz is accompanied by its owner's manuals, tool roll, jack, spare, and service records.
.
111.
027.
12.
004293 Mercedes-Benz vehicles of the 1960s and 1970s have a sterling reputation for being some of the best-engineered and supremely elegant cars of their day.
Launched in 1959, the W111/W112 series of luxury sedans, coupes, and cabriolets encapsulates the effortless elegance that made Mercedes-Benz of this era so revered.
The two-door W111 range initially consisted of 220 SE and 250 SE, with a second series arriving in 1967 and bringing with it the 280 - replacing the 250 as a result of the 2.
5-liter inline-six gaining 300 cc in displacement.
This later grew to the 3.
5-liter M116 V8 presented here, existing at the pinnacle of the W111 model hierarchy.
It was also equipped with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, a four-speed automatic transmission with fluid coupling, and a coil-sprung suspension, foregoing the complex and sometimes troublesome pneumatic suspension system on the W112 series.
While the sedans lost their tailfins in 1965 to adopt the squared-off styling then in vogue, subdued fins graced the rear wings of the two-door W111/W112 models for another six years until 1971.
The Cabriolet is also regarded as the last fully hand-built Mercedes-Benz, requiring as many as 16 hours to complete its manually-operated, multi-layered convertible top.
As a result, just 1,232 280 SE 3.
5 Cabriolets were produced in total, making it more exclusive than the fabled 300 SL Roadster.
Today, V8-powered 280 SE Cabriolets are among the most collectible models from a truly iconic period of Mercedes-Benz styling elegance and engineering prowess.
Crafted in May of 1971, this particular 280 SE 3.
5 Cabriolet was purchased through Mercedez-Benz of Beverly Hills later that same year.
Its original owner cherished the car for an impressive 31-year period, meticulously documenting the car's care through extensive service records and handwritten notes.
Noteworthy maintenance includes an engine rebuild in November of 1988 encompassing the replacement of pistons, valves, and rebuilt heads.
Another repair of note occurred in 1991 when the transmission underwent replacement.
Numerous service records also detail the consistent attention paid to the suspension, brakes, air conditioning, electrical, and various other systems over three decades of single ownership.
The 3.
5 Cabriolet was subsequently acquired by its second caretaker from Southern California in 2002, where its careful preservation continued.
During this 13-year ownership tenure, the car was driven sparingly with under 5,000 miles traveled, residing largely in storage until 2015.
It then passed into the custody of Bruce Canepa in Scotts Valley, California, where the Mercedes underwent a high-quality mechanical and cosmetic restoration.
The project commenced with the trimming of a completely new Cognac leather interior, meticulously fashioned to match the original specifications.
The gauges and clock were expertly restored, the chrome windshield frame trim re-plated, and the interior wood trim refinished to its former glory.
Furthermore, a brand-new top, along with renewed padding and headliner, was expertly crafted and installed in a painstaking effort to mirror the vehicle's original materials.
Finally, careful inspection and refurbishment of the mechanical systems, spanning the engine, suspension, steering, brakes, air conditioning, electrical system, transmission, and differential were performed as necessary.
An investment said to exceed $125,000 and spanning nearly 800 hours of mechanical and cosmetic work culminated in what is undoubtedly one of the most impeccably restored 280 SE 3.
5 Cabriolets in existence.
This superb example of a rare, hand-crafted Mercedes-Benz is accompanied by its owner's manuals, tool roll, jack, spare, and service records.
.
|
|