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For Sale: 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE in San Diego, California

Vehicle Description

Model Year 1971
Production Year 1971
Completed May 1971
Production Shift No 5015
Production No 971057
Body No 70244
Order-Kommission No 70600003
Chassis number 111.027-12-004237
Engine number 116.980-12-004674
Transmission number 002701
Key code HZ 0882
Exterior color code: 304 GB - Exterior Paint is Horizon Blue Body and Hub Caps
Interior color code: 245 - Blue Full Leather
Completed May, 1971
Delivered June, 1971
Mileage 110,741 Original Miles

Full Options Codes List:
401 Single seats
461 Instrument in English
491 USA Model & Equipment Vehicle
503 Outside Rearview Mirror on Left
513 USA Market Becker Europa Stereo Radio
524 Paint-coat preservation
531 Automatic Power Antenna for Radio
540 Seat Adapter BetweenFront Seats
570 Folding Armrest
586 Combination Code for BEHR Air Conditioning and Electric Power Windows
595 Heat insulated glass
641 White wall tires
669 Mode of Packing Shipping Ocean Vessel 1st Class
744 Soft-Top Fabric, Dark Blue
- Phoenix Tires

Engine Compartment Code Tag Information:
304 G Exterior Paint is Horizon Blue Body and Hub Caps
- - - This means same color for the soft top as body and hub cap
11027-12 Model Identification Code 1971 280SE 3.5-liter V8 Cabriolet
7 USA Delivered Vehicle When New
0 (Not sure... never figured this one out but every car seems to have a 0 here)
71057 Production Number
70244 Body Number

Background:
The 280SE 3.5-liter models were Mercedes-Benz's first V8-powered sports cars. A combination of elegant styling coupled with effortless performance made them highly desirable despite a very expensive price. They were and remain regarded as one of the most luxurious and elegant vehicles to ever emerge as a production machine. Even today their performance, handling and quality sets them apart as one of the most sought after and desirable vehicles ever produced.

Because of their time consuming, hand-assembled nature, Mercedes offered this, their top of the line V-8 Cabriolet for just a single production year in 1971. Orders were first accepted in October of 1969 with initial production starting in November of that same year. No additional orders were accepted after April of 1971 with production officially ending in the first week of June of 1971. A handful of final vehicles were completed and delivered in July of that same year. Once these vehicles were completed and delivered, Mercedes Benz ceased production of any further hand assembled vehicles. Production of all models thereafter were executed on the assembly line by individual linemen. The days of team hand assembly of a single vehicle were gone forever. Only 1,232 of these highly coveted vehicles were ever completed. for comparison, Mercedes built no less than 1,400 300SL Gullwing and 1,848 300SL Roadsters.

Chassis number 111.027-12-004237:
This particular 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet was special ordered new by the authorized Beverly Hills Agency in the Spring of 1971. The order requested:

-Special Equipment, high-output 3.5-liter V-8 Cabriolet Coachwork
-USA production model and equipment with English calibrated gauges
-Horizon Blue exterior paint
-Dark Blue Full Leather Interior and matching carpets and soft top
-Air Conditioning
-Power Windows
-Becker Multi-Band Stereo Radio, Amplifier and Power Antenna
-Power Steering / Power Brakes (Standard Feature)
-Four-Speed Automatic Transmission
-Individual Split Front Seats
-White-Wall Tires
-Heat Insulated Glass

The order was processed by Mercedes under commission number 7060003. The following components were assigned for group completion under this commission number and remain with the vehicle today:

-Body 70244
-Chassis number 111.027-12-004237
-Engine number 116.980-12-004674
-Transmission number 002701

The vehicle was assigned production number 971057 and it was assembled under work team shift number 5015 which means it was the 15th example completed in May of the 1971 production year. Assembly was completed and the vehicle ready for delivery in May of 1971. This was as such one of the very last of the 280SE 3.5 Cabriolets completed. Delivery took place in June of 1971 and the vehicle was sold shortly thereafter. It remained in Beverly Hills until 1978 when it was purchased by Garage Italia's company president, Mr. Goji in Japan. It remained with him, the second owner in Japan until our purchase several months ago at which time we formally imported the vehicle to the States. Total mileage since new is 110,741.

This vehicle was originally ordered and remains painted in strikingly beautiful "Horizon Blue" with slightly contrasting darker blue full leather interior and soft top. This rare Mercedes Cabriolet has just benefited from no-expense spared complete cosmetic restoration. The mechanics are likewise very fresh, with set up and sorting mileage only since the completion of work. It is completely matching numbers and totally rust and accident free with complete books, jack kit and tool kit.

Vehicle Details

  • 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE
  • Listing ID: CC-1033242
  • Price: Contact Seller
  • Location:San Diego, California
  • Year:1971
  • Make:Mercedes-Benz
  • Model:280SE
  • Exterior Color:Horizon Blue
  • Interior Color:Blue
  • Odometer:10786
  • Stock Number:621
  • VIN:111027-12004237
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