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.