1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe

280SE Coupé, Cabriolet and 300SEL saloon models were chosen by Mercedes-Benz to carry its new 3.5-liter V8 engine in 1969. It was an over-square design with a Bosch electronic fuel injection system, transistorized ignition, and a cast-iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft. The 200 horsepower engine could carry the 280SE to speeds near 125 mph, and from zero-to-sixty in just 9.5 seconds.

The SEL salon used the 'New Generation' bodyshell while the Coupe and Cabriolet were given the elegant coachwork that had debuted back in 1959 on the 220SE. They featured automatic transmissions, air conditioning, power windows, and stereo radio as standard equipment. The 280SE 3.5 was to be the final model to feature this long-established body style.

Chassis no. 111026.12.001918
This 280SE Coupe was finished at the Stuttgart works during the summer of 1970, during the second production year for the 3.5 models. Specified for the US market, the 3.5 was delivered to its first owner in September of 1970, through Allen Auto Leasing in Culver City, California. By 1991 the car had relocated to Massachusetts where it was owned by the Satran family. It was treated to restoration and refurbishing by Hudson, Massachusetts-based Hatch and Sons Automotive. Along with other work, the car was re-painted and the wood trim was refinished.

The Satran's sold the car in 2004, and in September of 2005, it was purchased by the current caretakers. Since then, additional restoration work has been performed to the car, including further refinishing of the interior wood, a new leather interior, a new headliner, new carpets, and a thorough service of the A/C system. The car is finished in Dark Blue with Parchment upholstery. It is fitted with power-assisted disc brakes, power windows, a factory sunroof, books, tools, and a jack.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2013