1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
- Engine
- 3.5L V8
- Colour
- Black (repainted from original Tobacco Brown)
A late-production 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet distinguished by its floor-mounted gear selector, this car was purchased new at a Beverly Hills dealership by entertainer Frank Sinatra as a birthday gift for his daughter Tina. She kept it for roughly fifteen years, after which it passed to Hollywood producer Lawrence Gordon. Showing 44,531 miles, it retains its original Cognac leather interior and is accompanied by owner's manuals listing the original owner by name.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$252,000
- 1971 → 1985Private saleTina Sinatrafull documentation
Received as a birthday gift from her father Frank Sinatra, purchased at a Beverly Hills dealership. She personalized the car with custom plates and had it repainted in black around 1981 after reported damage.
- 1985 → 2002Private saleLawrence Gordonpartial documentation
Hollywood producer and neighbor of Tina Sinatra who acquired the car from her. Mechanical and cosmetic upkeep was handled by Southern California specialist Scott Meinick.
- 2002 →Acquisition unknownScott Meinickpartial documentation
Mercedes-Benz specialist based in Southern California who had previously maintained the car for the prior owner, and subsequently took personal ownership after the change of hands.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1981Bodywork
Exterior refinished in black following reported accident damage incurred while the car was in Palm Springs, replacing the factory Tobacco Brown paint.
Work carried out at the direction of Tina Sinatra.
- —ServiceScott Meinick
Ongoing cosmetic and mechanical upkeep by a noted Southern California Mercedes-Benz specialist, continuing through at least two ownership periods.
Care began during Lawrence Gordon's ownership and continued after the subsequent change of hands.
Are you the owner of this car?
This car's public record is built from its auction and competition history. Register your ownership and privately add your own records to make it a verified Legacy Metrics passport — provenance that backs your car's value at sale and gives your insurer evidence to price against. Roy reviews and verifies every registration personally.