1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

The Paul Bracq-designed W111 series of 1959 to 1971 was exclusive, expensive, and largely hand-built. Body styles included a four-door saloon which was built from 1959 to 1968 and two-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. The unique tailfins earned the models the nickname, Heckflosse, German for 'fintail.' Power was initially sourced from a 2.2-liter inline 6-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE was built from 1967 through 1971, initially with a 2,778cc engine before being joined by a 3,499cc variant in 1969.

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5

The 280 SE 3.5 was the first Mercedes-Benz post-war coupe equipped with an engine that exceeded 3 liters. Introduced in August 1969, power was sourced from a new M116 3,499cc V8 engine offering 200 PS at 5,800 RPM. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 9.5 seconds and the top speed was reached at 210 km/h. Styling updates modernized its appearance with noticeable changes to the front, gaining a lower and wider grille, and rubber rub strips were added to the bumpers.

Production of the 280 SE 3.5 ended in July 1971, outlasting the 280 SE with the 2,778cc engine which had ended a few months earlier. A total of 3,797 examples of the 280 SE Coupe and 1,390 of the 280 SE Cabriolet were built with the 2,778cc engine. Slightly fewer examples were built with the 3,499cc (3.5 liter) engine, at 3,270 for the coupe and 1,232 for the cabriolet.

Mechanical Specification

The 2,778cc overhead-camshaft, seven-bearing six-cylinder engine developed 160 horsepower at 5,500 RPM in fuel-injected 'SE' form. With the manual transmission, the top speed was achieved at 118 mph, with the automatic nearly reaching that figure. Compared to its predecessor, the new M130 engine brought improved fuel economy and more efficient emissions control.

The 3,499cc, single overhead camshaft, 90-degree, M116 engine had two valves per cylinder, Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, and with 9.5:1 compression, it developed 197 horsepower (200 PS) at 5,800 RPM. The bore measured 92 mm (3.62 inch) and the stroke at 65.8 mm (2.59 inch). The block was made of cast iron and the head was formed from aluminum. It used a wet sump oiling system and a water-cooled cooling system.

The fully independent suspension system was similar to the equivalent saloon model, albeit reconfigured for a lower ride height, with braking courtesy of discs all round.

Standard Amenities

The well-equipped Mercedes-Benz 280 SE featured a leather-covered dashboard, leather upholstery, Becker radio, and round speedometer and rev counter flanking vertically stacked gauges. Among the list of optional equipment included air conditioning, electric windows, central locking, and power-assisted steering.

The 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

The two-door, five-passenger 280 SE coupe had a U.S. base price of approximately $9,200 while the two-door, five-passenger cabriolet listed at nearly $10,000. Their wheelbase measured 108.3 inches and they had an overall length of 192.9 inches. A four-speed manual transmission was standard but the optional automatic (adding approximately $340 to the base price) was commonly fitted.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 111.025.12.002529

The Paul Bracq-designed Mercedes-Benz W111 was introduced in 1959 and produced, through many variations, through 1971. During that time, the 280 SE Cabriolet and Coupe were built, virtually by hand, in the great tradition of German craftsmanship. They featured genuine solid hardwood trim, with the gentle use of brightwork. The leather upholstery was luxurious and comfortable, and both the ride quality and handling were superb.

This particular Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Cabriolet has been in the care of several owners and currently shows 40,850 miles. The exterior has been repainted and the front seats and console have been reupholstered, both in the original factory colors. The car has a period radio and air conditioning options. The engine is a 2778cc SOHC inline six-cylinder unit fitted with Bosch mechanical fuel injection and offering 180 horsepower. There is a four-speed automatic transmission and power-assisted hydraulic disc brakes.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 10801812013563

This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Sedan was brought to the 2007 Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction presented by RM Auctions, where it had an estimated value of $10,000 - $20,000. It was offered without reserve. It has a 2788cc Bosh fuel-injected V8 engine capable of producing 180 horsepower. There is a four-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes.

The 280 SE was described as 'perfection on wheels' and offered performance, luxury, and comfort. They were geared towards the American market and offered at a base price of $6,577 which put them in the range of Cadillac's deVille Sedan and Lincoln's Continental. They had European craftsmanship with durable leather and rich, hand-finished wood trim adorning the dashboard and garnish moldings. By the close of the 1960s, Mercedes-Benz had sold nearly 26,000 vehicles.

This vehicle has had only two female owners since new. The engine has been rebuilt and the exterior of the car is finished in its original Ivory with a Tobacco Brown leather interior. At the auction, the lot was sold for $7,700.

by Dan Vaughan

Sedan
Chassis number: 108.018.10.020506
Engine number: 130.920.10.021571

Mercedes-Benz introduced a 'New Generation' of upscale vehicles in 1968, alternatively known as the S-Class. This five-passenger vehicle continued the tradition of hand-built quality, classically inspired styling, luxury, and superior engineering. Powering the 'S' models was a 2.8-liter, inline six-cylinder engine with an overhead camshaft and dual carburetors, offering nearly 160 horsepower.

This particular Mercedes-Benz 280 is finished in dark brown with BM-Tex upholstery. It has a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel power-assisted hydraulic disc brakes, and a spare tire.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 111025.12.003368
Engine number: 130980.12.025655

Mercedes-Benz's fifteen 'New Generation' models were publicly displayed for the first time at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1967 and went on sale the following January.

The fuel-injected 280SE saloon shared its bodywork with the 'New Generation' 280S, while the 280SE Coupe and Cabriolet retained the appearance of the outgoing 250SE that had been introduced in 1959 on the 220SE. The 2778cc overhead-camshaft six-cylinder Type M130 engine - however - was all new. The M130 produced 160 horsepower and offered improved fuel economy and more efficient control of emissions.

Between 1968 and 1972, when production ceased, a little over 5,000 examples of the 250SE Coupe and Cabriolet were produced. 1,390 examples were the cabriolet.

This W111 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet was completed at the Stuttgart-based Mercedes-Benz factory and finished in Sand Beige over Brown leather. It was given a Becker Grand Prix radio, armrests, automatic antenna, white wall radial tires (with a matching spare), and a driver's side rearview mirror.

This 280SE Cabriolet has been given a two-year rotisserie restoration done to concours standards. After the work was completed, it won First in Class at a Mercedes-Benz concours.

This car has color-coded hubcaps, power windows, automatic transmission, and the correct Behr air conditioning system.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 111.025.12.002499
Engine number: 130.980.12.018676

This Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Cabriolet is powered by a 2,778cc SOHC inline 6-cylinder engine fitted with Bosch Mechanical fuel injection, delivering 180 horsepower at 5,750 RPM. There is a four-speed automatic transmission, hydraulic disc brakes, and an independent suspension with coil springs.

This Mercedes-Benz was sold new in Southern California and there it would reside for nearly 45 years. A high-quality restoration began in 2014. Currently, the car has 66,000 miles on its odometer. The interior is original but has been re-dyed in its original green color. It has optional burled walnut veneers, and European headlights have been added.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 111.024.12.002053

This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE Coupe was delivered new to southern California and is believed to have remained with its original owner for approximately four decades. It wore a light ivory exterior paint scheme with black leather, and was restored to its current condition after being acquired by its second owner around 2009. The current exterior color is a two-tone scheme with a silver metallic body and black roof and hub caps. The interior is finished with black leather and refinished wood trim. The dashboard is additionally furnished with a Blaupunkt stereo and an air conditioning system.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible
Chassis number: 111.025.12.003222
Engine number: 130.980.12.023766

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 Dan Vaughan

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE was produced from 1965 through September 1972. Mounted under the bonnet as a six-cylinder engine fitted with a fuel injection system. (The 250S and 280S had carbureted engines.) By 1970, Mercedes-Benz introduced a larger, eight-cylinder engine displacing 3.5 liters. It was available in a sedan, coupe, and convertible body styles with a total of 5187 examples of the coupe and convertibles being built. The standard sedan was far more popular with 91,051 examples produced. Part of the popularity was the price tag which was almost half the cost of the convertible option, which carried a sticker price of $12,444.

A four-speed manual gearbox was standard with an automatic available as optional equipment. Disc brakes could be found at all four corners. With just under 100,000 examples produced during their short lifespan, these were very important and popular for the Mercedes-Benz company.

by Dan Vaughan