SOLD 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet

Stop The Show

Debuting in September of 1967, the Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet was produced in limited numbers totaling just 1,390 examples until production ceased in early 1971. This iconic two-door W111 chassis Mercedes-Benz model touted luxury-in-the-extreme when unveiled to the public with plush leather seating in the cabin, elegant hardwood finishes on the dash and modern amenities such as power windows. Mechanically, the car was powered by a mighty fuel-injected 6-cylinder M130 2.8 liter engine capable of producing 160hp paired to a 4-wheel power disc braking system making it ideal for both highway travel and leisurely cruising. The 280SE Cabriolet remains one of the most coveted luxury cars produced by Mercedes-Benz over the course of its illustrious history and is a model known both for its collectibilty and its refined road-going capabilities; simply one of the very best ‘cruising’ cabriolets ever built by any manufacturer.

The stately, well dressed example offered here, chassis 002499, was finished new by Mercedes-Benz in the rather stunning, rare original color combination of 462H Tunis Beige Metallic (Champagne) paint over 244 Green Leather upholstery with a burled walnut wood dash. The Mercedes was further furnished with green carpets to compliment the leather and a matching 747 dark green fabric top, solidifying a unique and attractive color scheme that certainly qualifies as both elegant and attention grabbing in the same breath . Mechanically, the car was fitted new with a 4-speed automatic column-shift transmission mated to power steering, with a left side-view mirror, folding armrests, power windows and white wall tires. As a US specification car, chassis 002499 was delivered with sealed beam headlights and had instruments in English on the dash.

This exceptional 280SE Cabriolet has a known history from new, having been originally purchased by Atlas Auto Leasing Co. of Los Angeles, California on May 15^th, 1969. Early and numerous servicing receipts, as recorded in the car’s original factory service booklet, indicate regular maintenance performed by Mercedes-Benz of Hollywood and Beverly Hills Ltd. up through about 56,000 miles in 1974. In that same year, Margaret Kearns Cox of Sherman Oaks, California became owner of chassis 002499 280SE Cabriolet and would go on to steward the car for the next 40 years, during which time she put less than 10,000 miles of use on the car. In 2014, the car was purchased by a long-time and very knowledgeable European collector client of Scott Grundfor Company who was intrigued by the rare original color combination of the car and its undamaged condition. In late 2014, he embarked on what can only be described as an exhaustive, “spare no expense”, concours level restoration of the car. The thorough nature of the restoration mirrors what one might normally see on a car over the one million dollar mark in value, it is definitely the recipient of work well in excess of what is normally seen on the W111 Mercedes-Benz line of cars; a complete, top-to-bottom restorative effort.

Finished today as it left the factory in eye-catching 462H Tunis Beige Metallic paint over the well-kept, still original 244 Green leather upholstery with a brand new dark green soft top and beautiful burled walnut wood on the dash, every aspect of this stunning restoration effort shines bright with a high level of authenticity for the model. Desirable European headlamps have been added in the front of the car, with the original US headlights kept in reserve for future installation if required, and a brand new matching green leather tonneau cover has been made for when the top is down. No stone was left un-turned in order to make this unique German Cabriolet one of the finest, most thoroughly restored W111 Mercedes-Benz cars one is likely to come across.

In keeping with the idea of a truly meticulous attention to detail paid to each and every aspect of the car during restoration, a bare metal repaint was performed on the undisturbed original body which beautifully brings into focus the clean, sharp body lines of the 280SE model. All the chrome trim and bumper pieces have been redone to standards equaling that of the superb Tunis Beige Metallic paintwork, while the straightness of the body adds to the exterior cosmetic package to create mirror quality finishes throughout. To maintain a touch of history, the beautiful original leather interior has been meticulously preserved and kept in place, a feature of the restoration that pairs flawlessly with the extraordinary efforts made elsewhere during the comprehensive cosmetic and mechanical refurbishment of the car otherwise.

With respect to the mechanical function of this lovely 280SE Mercedes, the engine has been fully rebuilt during the restoration process and all other mechanical components of the car were refurbished to a “like-new” condition with the intention of showing the car. Chassis 002499 280SE Cabriolet is truly in an as-delivered-new condition and is a product on par with what one might expect of a car just finished by Mercedes-Benz in 1969. While it is not rare to come across a 280SE Cabriolet that wears a pretty paint job and tidy chrome plating to match a fresh interior, it is indeed quite a rarity to see the level of depth in the work performed such as has been completed on this particular example, a car truly refinished down to each and every last nut and bolt.

The rubber throughout the car has been replaced and trimmed properly to allow for the exceptional fits to yield flawless opening and shutting on the exterior. New rubber has also been installed everywhere within the engine bay and undercarriage, while the thoroughness of it all can easily be seen in the photographs we’ve taken of the car as provided here. The appearance inside the engine bay itself is best described as in a “showroom new” condition throughout. Further to the unusually thorough nature of the restoration work performed, and worthy of note when examining the lengths gone to in the refurbishment process, the undercarriage of this special 280SE Cabriolet presents in similar fashion to the engine bay, appearing essentially faultless as a true compliment to spectacular paint and body work that is more readily available to the eyes.

As one of the very best, most thoroughly restored W111 chassis Mercedes-Benz we’ve had the pleasure to offer, this unusually well finished 280SE Cabriolet is a special car indeed, wearing its beautiful original color scheme of Tunis Beige Metallic over Green Leather in the highest of show quality conditions throughout. Chassis 002499 comes with a well-documented history from new, all original books and tools, both Euro and US headlights, rare original service booklet with good early record keeping and a copy of the factory data card. A truly sensational Mercedes-Benz classic in essentially unused condition, ready for concours events, touring and driving enjoyment.