1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
- Engine
- 3.5L V8 with single overhead cam per bank, Bosch electronic fuel injection, 200 hp
- Colour
- Light Ivory
A 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 cabriolet, completed in April 1971 and finished from the factory in Light Ivory over a blue interior in US specification. One of only 1,232 cabriolets produced over the model's two-year run, it was purchased new by John C. Pritzlaff Jr., a former Arizona politician and US Ambassador to Malta, who kept the car for 34 years until his death in 2005. In the early 2000s the car was repainted, reupholstered, and had its engine refurbished by a Colorado Mercedes specialist.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$297,000
- 1971 → 2005Factory deliveryJohn C. Pritzlaff Jr.partial documentation
Original purchaser, a US-spec delivery. Held the car for approximately 34 years; in the early 2000s commissioned a refurbishment including repaint, interior reupholstery from blue to burgundy, and engine work, carried out by Rancho Merced in Colorado.
- 2005 → 2016InheritancePritzlaff familypartial documentation
Car remained within the family following the original owner's death before eventually being sold in 2016.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationRancho Merced
The car was repainted in the factory-correct Light Ivory colour, the interior was retrimmed from the original blue to burgundy, and the engine was refurbished. Work was carried out on the instruction of the original owner.
Work commissioned by John C. Pritzlaff Jr. in the early 2000s; workshop operated by Mark Passarelli and based in Colorado.
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