Vehicle Description
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1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
VIN: 111027-12-0011533
Arguably the finest 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet in existence
Wonderfully preserved, highly original and never restored, with
original paint and interior
Only 20,246 miles from new
Matching numbers engine, transmission, and bodywork
Desirable Mercedes-Benz 3.5L V8 engine
Ultimate combination of options - floor-shift automatic
transmission, electric windows, Behr air conditioning
Previously owned by noted Mercedes-Benz collector Karl Keller from
1987 to 2003
Featured in Henry Rasmussen's Mercedes For The Road: The Survivor's
Series
Special items that are passed down for generations usually have a
unique reason that makes them cherished from the first day that
they're owned. Oftentimes in the collector car world, many people
refer to themselves as "caretakers" instead of owners,
understanding that they are keeping their prized possession in the
same loved condition as before them, realizing that eventually they
will part with it. This sense of greater purpose for the item,
along with careful use and preservation with the understanding of
keeping it for future generations, can lead to some of the finest
examples of original vehicles. This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5
Cabriolet is an example of different caretakers taking care of the
car for its entire life, resulting in quite possibly the finest
original examples in existence.
According to Mercedes-Benz information, chassis 001533, was
originally finished exactly as the car sits today. Painted in
Midnight Blue (DB 904) with a parchment leather interior (DB 255),
paired with a matching dark blue soft top. Equipped for the U.S.
market, the Mercedes was fitted with a Becker Europa stereo,
floor-shift automatic transmission, Behr air conditioning, white
wall tires, including Mercedes-Benz's 3.5L V8 engine. These options
represent the ultimate specification 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, and
therefore one of the finest Mercedes-Benzes, or motorcars in
general, that one could purchase in 1971.
Acquired new from a dealership in Colorado Springs, Colorado by
Majorie and Daniel O'Connell, the couple collected their new
Mercedes-Benz personally and drove it straight home to Tucson,
Arizona, with an overnight stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With
its first caretakers, the car remained entirely in the dry and
forgiving climate of Arizona, spending its time being driven
between Tucson, Phoenix, and Novales, and occasionally as far West
as Las Vegas. The 280's accompanying history file and documents
chronicles its upkeep throughout the O'Connell's ownership in the
1970s with Silver Star Motors and Bill Edel Motors, Mercedes-Benz
specialists located in Tucson, illustrating regular and careful
maintenance throughout their stewardship.
In 1987, the 280 SE 3.5 was sold to Karl Keller, becoming
Mercedes-Benz's second caretaker. By the time Keller acquired the
car it had accrued almost 16,000 miles in the O'Connell's
ownership, accounting for the vast majority of the car's current
total mileage. Keller was well known for his collection of
Mercedes-Benz vehicles, particularly of low-mileage, original cars.
Sitting in his garage alongside the original 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet
was an incredibly original 540 K Cabriolet, a long-tail, high-door
540 K Special Roadster, and a 300SL Gullwing and Roadster. While in
Keller's care, the 280 SE 3.5 was featured in Henry Rasmussen's
book Mercedes for the Road: The Survivor's Series. By the time the
book was published, the car had only been driven 16,000 miles from
new, and it was noted that Keller was assured by the O'Connell's
that the roof had never been down in their entire ownership! Listed
by chassis number, the book states that the car is "certainly one
of the most pristine to be found anywhere."
The 280 SE 3.5's next caretaker would be in the form of David
Bohnett of Los Angeles, California. Acquiring the car from Keller
in 2003, at which point the car had only been driven 16,500 miles,
with Keller only adding 500 miles during his 16 years of ownership.
Invoices accompanying the Mercedes-Benz show that the car was sent
to Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in 2008 for a new exhaust system
and extensive mechanical service, including fuel hoses and
injection seals, a rebuild of the rear axle, new wheel bearings, a
transmission service with new oil and filter, and engine oil
service, brake fluid flush, a service to the heater and air
conditioning system, and finally refinish and repairing the car's
wood trim as necessary. The work performed by the Classic Center
totaled over $29,000, with the invoices specifying mileage at the
time of service as 18,738 miles. Three years later, the car
returned to the Classic Center for a further oil change and
service, in addition to 4 new tires, having been driven just 200
miles since its last visit.
Remaining with Bohnett until 2014, the Mercedes-Benz was then
acquired by a German collector. Only driven a few hundred miles
during that stewardship in order to preserve its fantastic original
cosmetic and mechanical condition, the car was acquired by the most
recent owner and returned to its adopted home of Southern
California (residing alongside a 300SL Gullwing with period race
history and a rare disc-brake, alloy block 300SL Roadster). Today,
the car's odometer now shows 20,246 miles over the span of 54
years, though you would doubt that the car is over 5 years old due
to its incredible condition, no doubt in part by the fastidious
upkeep and preservation by the previous caretakers.
Upon arriving at Canepa, the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet was given a close
mechanical and cosmetic inspection. With only 20,246 original
miles, the car presents in such excellent original condition that
you almost don't believe that it's an original example, if not the
finest one in existence. As a part of the "Canepa Difference"
process, each car is put through an extensive process that inspects
each and every mechanical system and addresses them accordingly,
along with a thorough and complete concours-level detailing,
including the underside being cleaned by hand. This process ensures
that the custodian's work keeping this Mercedes-Benz as original as
possible continues under the Canepa name. The all original paint
was carefully cleaned and polished by Canepa's artisans with foam
pads, the interior detailed with care to preserve the original
parchment leather, and given a complete mechanical inspection
revealing the true attention to detail given to this vehicle over
54 years. After the process had been completed, it was confirmed
that this is likely the most original and greatest example of the
Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 in the world.
Now entering into its 6th decade of preservation, this outstanding
example is arguably the best 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet in existence - a
car that has taken pride of place in one of the finest collections
of Mercedes-Benzes in the United States, and that represents what a
truly original example cared for can look like, even more rare with
the exceptional and desirable factory option specification. The
next caretaker of this Mercedes-Benz won't just acquire the most
original and well-preserved example of its type - they will own one
of the most accomplished, glamorous, and desirable machines to ever
wear the Three-Pointed Star. For such a top-tier classic to boast a
dream specification, low mileage, and such a remarkable level of
care and preservation is truly rare, and not an opportunity to be
missed.
