1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet

This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 cabriolet is one of approximately 1,230 examples produced between 1969 and 1971. The car is said to have been refurbished cosmetically and mechanically under previous ownership, and it was acquired by the current owner in 2022. Powered by a 3.5-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the car has silver paintwork, a replacement blue convertible top, 14″ steel wheels with covers, disc brakes, dark blue leather upholstery, lap belts, power windows, a retro-style digital stereo, and Behr air conditioning. Listed on BaT in August 2024, this W111 is now offered again at no reserve on dealer consignment with owner’s manuals and a clean California title.

The car left the factory finished in Silver Gray Metallic and was repainted under previous ownership. Additional exterior details include a replacement blue soft top, a top boot, front vent windows, a “low-style” grille, and chrome bumpers. Delamination is visible on the upper corners of the windshield.

The 14″ steel wheels feature bright-finished covers with color-matched centers and are mounted with 205/75 Hankook Kinergy ST tires. A full-size spare is mounted in the trunk. The suspension includes an independent double-wishbone front setup with coil springs along with a rear single-joint swing axle. Stopping power is provided by power-assisted disc brakes at each corner, and the car is equipped with power steering.

The cabin features individual front seats, upholstered in dark blue leather, and wood trim accents the dashboard and A-pillars. Coco floor mats line the footwells, and appointments include lap belts, power windows, a dashboard-mounted clock, a retro-style digital stereo, and Behr air conditioning.

The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and fronts a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 18k miles, approximately 1,200 miles of which were added under current ownership. The selling dealer tells us the total mileage is unknown.

The 3.5-liter M116 V8 features Bosch Jetronic fuel injection and was factory rated at 200 horsepower and 211 lb-ft of torque. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.

Additional underside images are provided in the photo gallery below.

Decoding the data plate reveals the following information: