1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
- Engine
- 3.5L V8 with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, 200 hp
- Colour
- Grey Blue Metallic over blue leather
A rare 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, one of only 1,232 examples produced between 1969 and 1971, finished in Grey Blue Metallic over Blue Leather. Sold new on 15 March 1971 by a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Oakland, California, it remained within a single California family throughout its life, accumulating a documented service history spanning decades. Light mechanical recommissioning was carried out in 2022, and the car retains its original factory color scheme and numerous period options.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$313,000
- 1971-03-15 →Factory deliveryOriginal California family owner (first generation)full documentation
Purchased new from a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Oakland for just over $15,600, trading in a Camaro. The car was maintained at authorized dealers across California and accumulated nearly 100,000 miles by spring 1979, with the odometer likely rolling over around 1979–1980. The vehicle remained within the same family throughout its life and was largely parked after the early 2000s before light recommissioning in mid-2022.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2022ServicePatterson Automotive
Light recommissioning work including draining and renewing the fuel, changing the engine oil and oil filter, fitting a new air filter and battery, and refurbishing the exhaust system.
Carried out after a period of storage; workshop located in Sebastopol, California.
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