Mercedes-Benz has become a staple in luxury vehicles since its creation in 1926. The Benz part of the name dates back to 1886 when Karl Benz invented the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. The Mercedes part comes from Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft’s Mercedes brand name of cars, the first of which was produced in 1900. The two companies merged in 1926 to become Daimler-Benz AG and began producing vehicles under the name of Mercedes-Benz. In February of 2021, Daimler adopted the name of its flagship marque, Mercedes-Benz, while its heavy commercial vehicles division was split off into its own company named Daimler Truck.

Chasing the tale of earlier 220SE and designed by Friedrich Geiger, Mercedes-Benz set out to create their new two-door coupe and cabriolet. Initially using the reverenced overhead-cam straight-six in various sizes up to 2,996 cubic centimeters presented under the monikers of 250S, 250SE, and 300SE. A 2,778 cubic centimeter M13 engine in 1967 gave rise to 280S and 280SE model designations.

Mercedes-Benz built the 280 SE from 1969 to 1972,  as a personal luxury car with a definite sporting edge to compete in the battle for which manufacturer could build the ultimate 4 seater convertible car. Equipped with Bosch electronic fuel injection and the overhead-camshaft Mercedes 3.5-liter V8 ( Now the first Mercedes Post-War to have an engine bigger than 3 liters), which only weighed 55 pounds more than its 6 cylinder counterpart, both the coupe and the convertible were destined to be distinctive. As one of several changes made to modernize the aging design a lower, wider grille was incorporated. The facelifted model is often referred to, by the Germans, as the “flachkühler”. The new grill was not a side-effect of enlarging the engine compartment to accommodate the V8 despite popular belief. Front and rear bumpers were also modified with the addition of rubber rub strips and the rear lenses were changed to a flatter cleaner design. Standard equipment included leather interior, rosewood fascia, air conditioning, radio, and automatic transmission. The relatively high price tag of $14,000, was reflective of the quality and expense taken in producing the car. For example, all the trim was chrome-covered brass and the rosewood interiors were carefully matched and fitted with hundreds of tiny screws. In a testament to the quality and craftsmanship of these cars, the very efficient Daimler-Benz factory was able to produce only 13 per week. Production for coupe and convertible totaled just 4,502 units, and 1,232 of those were convertibles. 

The example on offer here, Chassis 11102712003244, is a 2 owner car and is finished in Dark Green (291) over Cognac with a dark brown soft top. This color combination complements the car fantastically and provides for a not often seen configuration of this top-tier Mercedes. It is equipped with the 4-speed column shift automatic, Behr A/C, and Becker Europa stereo system. Early history on this example is a bit scarce but it appears to have stayed with its original purchaser and owner for the first 22 years of its life. In April of 1993, the car was purchased from its first owner by the current consignor. In 2013, the new owner decided to undergo a comprehensive restoration of the vehicle. Little was left untouched during this process with the car receiving a full engine rebuild and mechanical overhaul as well as thorough cosmetic refreshing and a masterful repaint to its current color scheme. All documentation of this restoration before and after will be provided to the next owner via photos and receipts. Currently, the car shows 94,000 original miles and remains in outstanding condition both cosmetically as well as mechanically. Setting out for a cruise in this car provides you with an experience matched only by other high marques such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley while doing it in arguably the best looking Mercedes of its era, or perhaps of all time. 

Included in this sale are the tools, jack, and spare tire. 

The Details