1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé
- Engine
- 3.5L OHV V8, fuel-injected, 230 hp
- Colour
- Papyrus White over Midnight Blue
A 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupe on the W111 unibody chassis, styled by Paul Bracq and powered by the marque's first V-8, a 3.5-litre unit producing 230 hp. One of only around 800 US-market examples from a total coupe run of 3,200, it was built in an unusual factory-documented two-tone Papyrus White over Midnight Blue finish. A two-owner car with over 20 original documents, it has undergone comprehensive cosmetic and mechanical restoration, earning First in Class at two MBCA Concours d'Elegance events in 2014.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$126,500
- 1970 →Factory deliveryFirst owner (likely special-order purchaser)partial documentation
Car was almost certainly built to a specific customer order in an uncommon two-tone finish, confirmed by the factory production card. More than 20 original ownership documents accompany the car.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCurrent consignorpartial documentation
Undertook a thorough cosmetic and mechanical restoration during their ownership, including full repaint, chrome refinishing, interior re-trim, and comprehensive mechanical servicing by specialist Jim Cosgrove.
Competition
- 2014Mercedes-Benz Club of America Concours d'Elegance2014 MBCA New England Concours d'Elegance1st in Class
One of two MBCA concours events in 2014 at which the car earned a class victory following its restoration.
- 2014Mercedes-Benz Club of America Concours d'Elegance2014 MBCA National Concours d'Elegance (New Jersey)1st in Class
National-level MBCA event; second class win earned in the same year as the New England event.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Engine rebuild
Valve reconditioning and timing chain replacement carried out with technical input from Pierre Hedary, a writer for the Star magazine, to ensure long-term mechanical reliability.
Pierre Hedary is credited as a technical adviser for this work.
- —Restoration
Full repaint in original two-tone colours, all chrome refinished by a specialist, interior completely retrimmed to factory specification, and extensive burled walnut cabin trim expertly refinished.
Work undertaken during the current owner's tenure prior to the 2014 concours appearances.
- —MechanicalOldtimer Restoration Center
Comprehensive mechanical service covering shock absorber replacement, brake hoses, pads, and front rotor renewal, suspension buffer replacement, driveshaft balancing, AC system recharge to R134a, engine and transmission inspection with remedial work, new tyres fitted, and a new-old-stock exhaust system with ceramic-coated manifolds and pipes.
Work carried out by noted marque specialist Jim Cosgrove, proprietor of the Oldtimer Restoration Center.
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