1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet

111.027.12.001038roadGermany

Engine: 3.5L OHV V8, single overhead cam per bank, Bosch electronic fuel injection, 200 bhp
Colour: Blue (DB304)

A Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet built on the W111 chassis, one of only 1,232 examples produced between 1969 and 1971. Fitted with the 200 hp M116 V-8 engine and specified for the U.S. market with air conditioning, power windows, and a centre-mounted gearshift, the car spent the bulk of its life in California. It was long associated with the Ridder household of the Knight Ridder media family, and subsequently underwent a comprehensive cosmetic restoration including bare-metal repaint and interior refresh.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$330,000
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
First California-based owner
partial documentation
Described as the original owner; the car was registered with California vanity plates referencing the 280SE 3.5 designation, suggesting a California-resident enthusiast who took delivery new.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Mrs. Ridder (Knight Ridder newspaper family household)
partial documentation
Second California-based owner; believed to have held the car from the early 1980s until shortly before the auction. The household is associated with the Knight Ridder publishing family, and two vanity plates referencing the Ridder name accompanied the car.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Consignor
partial documentation
During this owner's tenure, the car received an engine-out cosmetic restoration: bare-metal repaint in original blue, refreshed interior upholstery, and a new correct three-layer convertible top, plus full mechanical servicing of major systems.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

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Restoration
Engine-out cosmetic restoration encompassing a bare-metal repaint in the original blue (DB304), selective interior upholstery renewal in original dark blue, and fitment of a correct new three-layer convertible top.
Carried out during the consignor's ownership; all major mechanical systems — engine, brakes, suspension, and air conditioning — were inspected and serviced as part of the same programme.
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Service
Thorough check and recommissioning of all principal mechanical systems, including the engine, braking system, suspension, and air conditioning.
Performed concurrently with the cosmetic restoration described above.

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