LOT 267 •
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis no. 111027-12-003542
Estimate: US$125,000 - US$145,000
Lot 267•
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet Chassis no. 111027-12-003542
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
Chassis no. 111027-12-003542
Chassis no. 111027-12-003542
The conservative design principles that had helped restore Mercedes-Benz to health and a position of prestige was continued into the bigger, upmarket W-108 series cars first introduced in 1965. The new 250S and 250SE were fitted with a 2,496cc version of the company’s overhead camshaft straight six. Initially rated at 130 horsepower, another 20 were added thanks to Bosch mechanical fuel injection. More power came with the 300SE and SEL (also fuel-injected), which were rated at 170 horsepower.
In 1967, the 280 series cars were introduced with the new M130 straight-six engine. With a carburetor, the new all-alloy power unit was good for 140 horsepower. Increased power, better fuel economy and greater drivability were standard equipment with the fuel injected 280SE that also came along that year.
But there was more power still in store for the 280 in 1970 when it was shown in Amsterdam with a 3.5-liter V-8 rated at 230 horsepower. From the outside, little more than badging gave the 280SE 3.5 away as being something very much out of the ordinary.
Standard equipment included that silky smooth V-8, which made its considerable power thanks to mechanical fuel injection and electronic ignition. Other important features included a ZF four-speed automatic transmission, fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brake. Power steering, brakes and windows were also part of the package clothed by the restrained skin which was available in either or cabriolet versions.
Whether the 280SE 3.5 was ordered in coupe or even more elegant cabriolet form, the interior featured luxurious upholstery trimmed with fine leather, rich carpeting and highly polished wood veneers. The build quality was second to none. Underneath the restrained skin was a very sophisticated package, which included the injected V-8, four-speed automatic transmission, fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.
According to information supplied with the car, this example was sold new to a gentleman named Hyde of Fort Worth, Texas on February 20, 1971. A local car, the 3.5 spent many years in the ownership of Perry Skjelbred of Connecticut being acquired from his estate last year.
At some point in the previous Connecticut ownership the car was repainted and the top has been replaced in blue fabric, but otherwise it appears to be in ostensibly original order, the interior certainly being the original and as testament to the quality of the marque and these cars in particular it actually shows modest wear for a 38 year old car. We noted that the battery has been re-wired to the trunk rather than under the hood, although it was not immediately clear why, but otherwise the car appeared to be correct technical specification including air-conditioning.
Always coveted in this form, the V8 280SE provides a commodious luxury touring car, surprisingly modern for its age technically, yet aesthetically from an era when design was forward looking rather than retrospective, and the Mercedes was the last word in that style.
In 1967, the 280 series cars were introduced with the new M130 straight-six engine. With a carburetor, the new all-alloy power unit was good for 140 horsepower. Increased power, better fuel economy and greater drivability were standard equipment with the fuel injected 280SE that also came along that year.
But there was more power still in store for the 280 in 1970 when it was shown in Amsterdam with a 3.5-liter V-8 rated at 230 horsepower. From the outside, little more than badging gave the 280SE 3.5 away as being something very much out of the ordinary.
Standard equipment included that silky smooth V-8, which made its considerable power thanks to mechanical fuel injection and electronic ignition. Other important features included a ZF four-speed automatic transmission, fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brake. Power steering, brakes and windows were also part of the package clothed by the restrained skin which was available in either or cabriolet versions.
Whether the 280SE 3.5 was ordered in coupe or even more elegant cabriolet form, the interior featured luxurious upholstery trimmed with fine leather, rich carpeting and highly polished wood veneers. The build quality was second to none. Underneath the restrained skin was a very sophisticated package, which included the injected V-8, four-speed automatic transmission, fully independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes.
According to information supplied with the car, this example was sold new to a gentleman named Hyde of Fort Worth, Texas on February 20, 1971. A local car, the 3.5 spent many years in the ownership of Perry Skjelbred of Connecticut being acquired from his estate last year.
At some point in the previous Connecticut ownership the car was repainted and the top has been replaced in blue fabric, but otherwise it appears to be in ostensibly original order, the interior certainly being the original and as testament to the quality of the marque and these cars in particular it actually shows modest wear for a 38 year old car. We noted that the battery has been re-wired to the trunk rather than under the hood, although it was not immediately clear why, but otherwise the car appeared to be correct technical specification including air-conditioning.
Always coveted in this form, the V8 280SE provides a commodious luxury touring car, surprisingly modern for its age technically, yet aesthetically from an era when design was forward looking rather than retrospective, and the Mercedes was the last word in that style.
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| • | Exempt from tax |
| Zero rated for tax, no tax will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. |