1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Convertible

Mercedes-Benz introduced its 'W111' series of Cabrioelts in 1961 at the Frankfurt Auto Show and initially came equipped with a 2.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine. Displacement later grew to 2.5 liters and then to 2.8 liters in the 280 SE - the largest six-cylinder offered in a W111.

This Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Cabriolet was completed on June 30, 1969, as a North American specification example, as denoted by option code 491. Amenities bestowed upon this elegant Cabriolet included power windows and a rare limited-slip differential. Its original owner was Michael Ryan of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, who retained it until April 1998, when it was sold to Donald Padget, also of British Columbia, with 53,000 miles on the odometer.

The current (and fourth) owner has owned the car since November 2021, with approximately 102,000 miles at the time.

Since entering the current owner's care, the interior wood trim was refinished, the engine bay was restored, the aluminum parts were removed for vapor blasting, the original radiator was repaired, and a remanufactured driveshaft was installed. The folding soft top and boot cover were replaced, and the dashboard clock was converted to run a Quartz movement.

In 2022, the car won Best Mercedes at the 2022 Pacific Grove Concours, first in class at the 2022 Chico Concours, and second in class at the 2022 Legends of the Autobahn.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2023