1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 280SE Convertible

Mercedes-Benz collectors often refer to their cars with the chassis code; in this case, the car is frequently referred to as a W111. This code was given to Mercedes-Benz top-range vehicles produced from 1959 to 1971, which included sedans, coupes and cabriolets. The W111 was initially attributed only to six-cylinder cars with 2.2-liter engines; luxury versions with larger engines were called W112, and the entry-level vehicles with 4-cylinder engines were called W110. All three versions were built on identical chassis.

The W111 was introduced in 1959 with fintails. The design however, focused on passenger comfort and safety: Bela Barenyi pioneered passive safety with front and rear crumple zones that would absorb kinetic energy from impact.

The 280SE 3.5 coupe and cabriolet were the final models in this series, being produced from November 1969 through July 1971. This car has a 3.5-liter V8 making 200 horsepower at 5,800 RPM, a top speed of 130 mph and a 0-100 mph time of 9.5 seconds. To fit this larger engine, the front grille was widened and bumpers were modified. The tail lamps also changed to a flatter and cleaner design.

When new, it sold for three times the price of a Cadillac. This car is just one of 1,232 produced, making it quite rare. Air conditioning and automatic transmission make it a comfortable, easy ride.