This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Cabriolet combines an exceptionally long ownership history with remarkably comfortable equipment for its era. The W 111 has been in the hands of the current owner for 33 years; the mileage of 58,684 kilometres is documented. The confirmed equipment includes an automatic transmission, electric windows, a Becker Grand Prix radio, tinted windows and an original Behr air-conditioning system. Matching Numbers and Matching Colors have been verified, and extensive invoices and photographic documentation of the technical work carried out are also available.
The W 111 Cabriolet belongs to the great open touring cars of its era: two doors, four seats, a refined inline-six and a body whose elegance relies less on fashionable effects than on its proportions. The 280 SE is powered by a 2,778 cm³ inline-six producing 160 hp or 118 kW; in this example, power is transmitted via an automatic transmission.
According to the available vehicle documentation, only 1,390 examples of the 280 SE Cabriolet left the factory. The vehicle offered here already received extensive comfort equipment from its first owner. Particularly noteworthy is the original Behr air-conditioning system, complemented by electric windows, tinted glass and a Becker Grand Prix radio.
The left-hand-drive Mercedes is finished in Brown. When the current owner found the Cabriolet in New York 33 years ago, it was reportedly rust-free, untouched and still wearing its original paint. After bringing it to Austria, he nevertheless decided to have it repainted for aesthetic reasons; the work was carried out by a local Mercedes-Benz workshop.
The photographs today show the elegant open W 111 silhouette with extensive chrome trim, the classic Mercedes grille and the clean flanks characteristic of the model series. The combination of brown bodywork and beige interior is confirmed as Matching Colors. No separate condition or valuation report is available.
Inside, the brown exterior colour is complemented by beige leather. Wood, chrome and the classic instrumentation define the ambience. It is particularly clear here that, despite its open bodywork, the 280 SE was intended less as a purist roadster and more as a luxurious touring car.
The confirmed equipment underlines this character: electric windows, tinted glass, Becker Grand Prix radio and the original Behr air-conditioning system. These equipment features have been confirmed on the basis of the reviewed documentation; conflicting information in individual structured data fields has therefore not been used for this description.
The 2.8-litre inline-six producing 160 hp is paired with an automatic transmission. The VIN is 1110251200438, while the engine number is 1300104050. Matching Numbers have been confirmed on the basis of the reviewed documentation.
The technical history of this W 111 is exceptionally well documented – and has an almost ironic twist. During an early major trip in Austria, the temperature gauge moved worryingly towards the red zone while the car was stuck in traffic. As a precaution, the cooling system was initially renewed. When the apparent problem persisted, a much more extensive search for the cause began: the cylinder head was removed and eventually the engine was dismantled, without any corresponding fault being found.
As the drivetrain was already dismantled at that point and the owner wanted to preserve the car in the best possible technical condition for the long term, the components were comprehensively refurbished at the renowned workshop Egon Zweimüller in Ennsdorf using original Mercedes-Benz parts. The rear axle was also dismantled and inspected; according to the documentation, it showed no abnormalities consistent with the low mileage. Invoices and photographic documentation of the work are available and have been reviewed.
Only afterwards was the actual cause identified: the engine was not overheating; rather, the temperature gauge was displaying inaccurate readings. What initially appeared to be a technical problem ultimately led to an exceptionally comprehensive preventive refurbishment of the drivetrain.
The current owner had already owned a 220 SEb Cabriolet for around 20 years, but was looking for an example that better met his requirements. As many of these cars had been delivered to the USA, the search eventually led to New York. There he found the 280 SE that is offered today and brought it to Austria.
Since then, 33 years have passed. During the first few years, the Cabriolet was used regularly and completed several longer journeys. One of them, for example, took it to Alsace. Following the extensive technical work, the Mercedes proved to be a reliable touring companion for more than three decades.
In later years, its use gradually became limited to occasional running drives. The car was last started and driven without problems around two years ago. The documented mileage now stands at 58,684 kilometres. The vehicle is currently not registered and is listed in the data set as not roadworthy; following its period of inactivity, a technical inspection is recommended before more extensive use.
The vehicle comes with reviewed vehicle documents as well as invoices and photographic documentation relating to the extensive work on the engine and cooling system. Documentation relating to the repaint and the original special equipment is also available and has been reviewed.
After arriving in Austria, the original Behr air-conditioning system received a new compressor and was serviced at the same time. Matching Numbers and Matching Colors, as well as the mileage and the 33-year ownership history, are documented. No separate condition or valuation report is available.
With this 280 SE Cabriolet, it is not merely the elegant W 111 bodywork that is interesting, but above all its unusually personal and well-documented history. 33 years with one owner, 58,684 documented kilometres, Matching Numbers/Colors and extensive factory equipment form a compelling combination.
Added to this is a technical history that would be difficult to invent: an inaccurate temperature gauge led to a comprehensive refurbishment of the engine using original Mercedes-Benz parts, documented by invoices and photographs. The rare Behr air-conditioning system, electric windows and Becker Grand Prix radio reinforce its character as a comfortable open touring car. After two years of limited use, a technical inspection is now due – after which another long journey would be the most fitting continuation of this 33-year history.
Sometimes a particularly interesting car is not created through a spectacular restoration, but through an owner who simply kept it for a very long time and took its preservation seriously. Here, 33 years are almost more significant than any condition rating. And the story of the temperature gauge is wonderfully ironic: an instrument was wrong, and in the end the engine received a comprehensive refurbishment using original parts. Add air conditioning, an automatic transmission and beige leather. This is not a roadster for a quick Sunday morning drive. It is a Mercedes for a journey where you deliberately choose the longer route.
Have this vehicle inspected by experts!
Orth an der DonauOr would you like to sell a vehicle at auction? Please feel free to contact us.
Write a comment
No bids or comments yet!
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Loading…
Newsletter
Receive hand-picked collections of the most interesting cars, motorbikes, and auction listings on Classic Trader — straight to your inbox.
