1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE

Mercedes-Benz introduced a new model lineup in 1965 at the Frankfurt Auto Show to serve as a replacement for the Heckflosse or 'Fintail' W111/112 models. The three new W108-Series models consisted of the 250S, 250SE, and 300SE, as well as a single W109, the 300SEL. These new models wore updated styling but their engines were, by and large, carried over from the previous generation but were carefully refined. The fuel-injected 280SE saloon shared its bodywork with the 'New Generation' 280S, while the 280SE Coupe and Cabriolet retained the elegant looks of the outgoing 250SE that had debuted back in 1959 on the 220SE. They initially used the single overhead-camshaft inline 'six' in several sizes, culminating in the 3.0-liter unit, with the numerical model names varying by engine size. As the 1960s were coming to a close, the lack of a V-8 engine in the roster was becoming a hindrance in the all-important U.S. market, so a new 3.5-liter V-8 powerplant, internally designated M116, was developed.

The 3.5-liter version (3499cc SOHC V8) of the 280SE signified a resurgence of larger-engined Mercedes-Benz models, with the ultra-luxurious 280SE Coupe, Cabriolet, and 300SEL saloon models introduced with the 3.5-liter V8 in 1969. An over-square design featuring a cast-iron block and aluminum cylinder heads, each equipped with a single overhead camshaft, with Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorized ignition, the state-of-the-art power unit produced 200 horsepower at 5,800 RPM. Mercedes-Benz modestly referred to as the 'engine of tomorrow'. Zero-to-sixty mph was achieved in 9.5 seconds and the top speed was approximately 125 mph.

The 3.5-liter V-8 had been developed for maximum efficiency and durability, and delivered an infusion of smooth, turbine-like power, and would yield scope for further development into the 4,520cc 'big block' designated M117 in 1971.

The new W108 model was designated 280SE 3.5, to distinguish it from its six-cylinder counterpart. They sported a 'Flachkuhler' grille that was 100mm wider and 70mm shorter than the one found on its older siblings. The 280SE 3.5 employed all-round independent suspension (double-wishbone front / low-pivot swing axle rear), power-assisted steering, and four-wheel disc brakes. The interior housed leather upholstery, wood veneers and a multi-layered hood, with seating for four or five passengers in comfort. Air conditioning, power windows, and stereo radio were standard equipment.

The 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet was on par price-wise with the expensive 'Grosser' Mercedes-Benz 600 and was predictably exclusive. Only in production for two years, just 1,232 are thought to have been made of which a mere 68 were to right-hand drive specification. Production of the 280SE Coupe and Cabriolet totaled little over 5,000 units between 1968 and 1972 when production ceased. Each example was essentially hand-built inside and out to exacting standards of craftsmanship.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 11102512004032

The Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 cabriolet was introduced in 1970 and was identical to the standard 280SE cabriolet, with the exception being under the hood. In place of the standard-issue six, the 280SE 3.5 was given an all-new 3.5-liter V-8 and featured Bosch electronic fuel injection and transistorized ignition. The 280SE 3.5, with its 230 horsepower, was capable of going from zero-to-sixty in less than 10 seconds.

Standard equipment included power steering, power brakes, stereo radio, air conditioning, electric windows, and automatic transmission. Inside, there was leather upholstery and polished wood trim. Between 1969 and 1971, there were 1,232 examples produced with the convertible body style. Priced at $14,509, they were very expensive.

This example is a two-owner car. It has been given just on repaint (in the 1990s) and is finished in dark blue with a tan upholstery and a blue convertible top. The odometer shows approximately 98,500 miles.

In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the St. Johns Concours auction presented by RM Auctions. It was estimated to sell for $70,000-$90,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $74,250 inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 11102512004204

This 280SE Cabriolet is an original, unrestored car with less than 100,000 miles over nearly 39 years, yet it is in top condition. The high level of build quality, top-shelf materials and components, and excellence in engineering apparent in Mercedes-Benz cars of this era truly make these classic cars, and this particular model is still quite capable of keeping up with modern traffic. Its distinctive stacked headlights set it apart visually from many other Mercedes models. Coupe and Cabriolet versions of this model are relatively rare and desirable.

Coupe
Chassis number: 111026.12.001918
Engine number: 116980.12.001680

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 Dan Vaughan

Coupe
Chassis number: 111.026.12.000148

This Mercedes 280 SE 3.5 is one of only 3,270 coupes built and is fitted with a floor-shift transmission, air-conditioning, and power windows. It was delivered new to France in two-tone Anthracite Grey Metallic with a black roof and black leather upholstery (the same color scheme it wears today).

The car has been carefully stored for over 20 years before the previous owner, a Mercedes-certified mechanic, began a lengthy full restoration, completed in December of 2014. It was given a bare-metal repaint in the original color scheme, and much of the brightwork was re-chromed. In 2014, this 280 SE won a First Place at the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Concours d'Elegance in Grayson City Park in Georgia.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet

For 1970, the flagship vehicle from Mercedes-Benz continued to be the W111 and W112 series cars. They were hand-built vehicles produced in limited numbers and lined with luxurious Burl walnut wood trim and leather accents. In 1968, the full-size Mercedes Benz 'S Klasse' could be purchased with the new 2.8-liter straight sir of the all-new 3.5-liter V8, both utilizing the patented Bosch fuel injection system.

This particular Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet is a two-owner example that has just 46,000 miles on its odometer. It has a column shift automatic, power windows, air conditioning, Becker radio and a center armrest console. It received just one repaint approximately a few years ago and finished in a light blue exterior with a dark blue convertible top and boot. It has a new set of radial tires with the correct spare tire, tool roll and jack.

by Dan Vaughan

Coupe

This car was built in June 1970 in DB 834 Moss Green with a Bamboo leather interior and was originally delivered to Georgia. Following long family ownership in the United States the car went to Austria in 2008 and was repatriated to Connecticut by its current owners in March 2011. The car boasts the most optional equipment available at the time, including a four-speed automatic transmission, Behr air conditioning, fog lights, head rests, and Blaupunkt radio. All documentation is available from new as well as the MB Data Card. There were 3,270 examples of the 3.5 Coupe built from November 1969 to July 1971. The model was fitted with the brand new M116 3499cc V-8 engine with 200 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, a top speed of 210 kph (130 mph) and 0 - 62 mph in 9.5 seconds.

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 111.027.12.000963
Engine number: 116.980.12.000785

Mercedes-Benz built 1,232 examples of the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet between 1969 and 1971, which meant - on average - 13 cars were built per week. These hand-built automobiles were elegant, exclusive, and expensive. This particular example was completed in April of 1970 and was one of just 870 units produced for the model year. It wears a factory-correct 'triple black' color scheme, and came from the factory with power windows, air conditioning, floor-shifted automatic transmission, and Becker Europa Radio with an automatic retractable antenna.

The current owner acquired the Mercedes in 2008 from Roy Orbison's widow, Barbara Orbison. Since then, this 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet has been professionally refinished in its factory-correct black paintwork, and the interior trim was similarly refinished. Over $30,000 of regular mechanical work was performed, with two major service regimens provided in October 2009 and April 2015.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet
Chassis number: 111.027.12.000758

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 bore a similar resemblance to the six-cylinder 280, but the mechanical specification was vastly different, with the top-of-the-line model providing a reliable 233 brake horsepower from the 3.5-liter M116 V8. Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in under ten seconds and had a top speed of 130 mph. The interior of the 3,600-pound vehicle was fitted with the finest accouterments, with a burled walnut dashboard and sumptuous leather seating.

This particular 280 SE 3.5 cabriolet is finished in silver with a blue convertible top. There are chrome knock-off wire wheels with Continental tires, a blue leather interior, a wood dash, a dash clock, Blaupunkt AM/FM radio with cassette, a wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel, and a Behr air-conditioning system.

by Dan Vaughan

Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz W112 Series 2-door convertible first appeared at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1960 and was put in production for 1961 as the 220SE. Designed by Paul Bracq, they combined luxury with distinction and received engine upgrades in 250SE and 280SE guise - culminating in the 280SE 3.5 V-8 version. Styling was upgraded in 1969 with a lower bonnet and widened grill. These updates are shown in this example. The 280SE featured Mercedes-Benz's 140 horsepower OHC 2,779cc engine, which proved to be the final development of the six-cylinder engine first seen in the 1951 220. The 280SE was produced from 1967 to 1971, with a total of 5,187 coupes and cabriolets built, including 1,390 convertibles from 1970 and 1971.

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