Within the realms of large V8-powered cabriolets – a rare breed these days – there are few automobiles in the post war period that can hold a candle to this magnificent Mercedes Benz 280SE 3.5 litre. It is breathtaking in the extreme, a fusion of timber and leather interior, magnificent chrome highlights and has a road presence that exudes luxury and power.
This is not a car you glance at: you study it, taking in the ambience, the design, the pure class of a car that will next year (2011) celebrate it's 40th birthday. It remains one of the most desirable Mercedes ever built. A reason for this is the no-expense-spared built quality. In 1971 a new HQ Holden Monaro GTS 350 would set you back $4630. This classic Merc was almost four times as much at $17,200.
Only 68 were built in right hand drive, so the car in this format has a high degree of exclusivity within the coupe and convertible 280SE's which numbered just 5187 during the production period from 1967-72. The 3.5 model was introduced in 1970. Some 91,051 sedans were built to give the numbers some perspective. The cabriolet cost almost twice as much as the sedan.
This car was one of two delivered new by Adelaide's Mercedes Benz dealer, BEA Motors. The first was a silver and black car. Our featured car was delivered to Tom Barr-Smith in January 1971 and later repurchased by BEA director, Peter Kay. It is now valued at $270,000.
The heritage of the 280SE dates to the late 1950's in the era of American finned cars. Make that giant fins on cars such as mid 50's Chevrolet, Caddy and Buick as well as Ford Fairlane and the Chrysler stable. The fins that appeared on Mercedes' cars were more in line with European conservatism: stunted and understated – a bit like the difference between an EK or FB Holden Chevrolet-style compared to a conservative EH Holden's fins.
The German manufacturer never recognised the fins as such, but the German buyers called them Heckflosse – German for fins. These fin tail models included the W111 series of luxury cars brought to market in 1959 and continuing to 1965 in the guise of 220, 220S and 220 SE. In 1965 these engines were upgraded and the new designations were 230S and 250SE and 280SE.
There were no less than nine variants that ran between 1965 up to 1971 including the 280 SE 3.5 coupe and cabriolet which had their debut in 1968. If the car looks stunning now – as we believe it does – we can only imagine the adulation it received back then.
Mechanically, the car was advanced for this era. Disc brakes all-round, power steering, electric windows, auto four speed gearbox, air conditioning, radio/stereo, power brakes – all standard equipment. And, let's not overlook the car's heart, the 3.5 litre, overhead cam, fuel injected V8. It was no slouch and could rocket to 100 km/h in under 10 seconds with a top speed of more than 200 km/h.
It is a car of superlatives: refined, elegant, powerful, distinctive ... you name it. What we like is it's exclusivity. Most people will never see this car in the flesh in their lifetime. And that's a pity. We were fortunate enough to see the car at the BEA Mercedes Benz showrooms in Adelaide at the launch of the new E63 AMG late last year.
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