Retained by its original owner until 2017, this unusually original two-owner 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet presents today as originally delivered in 670H light ivory paint over a wonderfully kept original 250 cognac leather interior. Desirably optioned from new with a 4-speed automatic floor shift, Behr Air condition and power windows, this W111 convertible has just 59,000 original miles and comes with all original books including aluminum warranty data plate along with its original pink factory data card signed at the point of purchase by its original owner.
Highlights
- One owner until 2017
- Very original two-owner W111
- Chassis no. 111.027-12-003064
- Engine no. 116.980-12-002738
- Matching numbers
- Original colors
- 670H light ivory
- Original 250 cognac leather
- Burled walnut wood dash
- Factory floor shift 4-speed automatic
- Factory installed Behr AC
- Factory power windows and antenna
- 3.5 liter M116 V8 engine
- 4-wheel disc brakes
- Becker Europa Stereo
- 746 dark brown fabric top
- All original books
- Original tools and bag
- Original factory data card
- Original aluminum data plate
- Original warranty card
- 59,065 original miles
Unusually Original Two Owner 3.5 Cab
The Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 was considered by most observers in the early 1970’s as the finest car in the world. Its luxurious comfort in concert with well-established Mercedes-Benz engineering prowess made the ‘3-5 Cab’ the most expensive and desirable convertible cruiser money could buy at a Mercedes dealership. Today, the 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet is both a sought-after collection piece for the Mercedes-Benz aficionado as well as the ultimate classic Mercedes experience in power-driven luxury. This W111 Cabriolet model with its 8-cylinder 3.5 liter engine has long been considered a car that bridges the gap between the classic and modern eras; in the simplest of terms, the 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet is one of the most widely desired classics Mercedes-Benz has produced, and it is the final truly hand built car conceived by the three pointed star.
As one of only 1,232 examples built, and one of just 802 designated for import into the United States, the impeccably documented and unusually pure example offered here was delivered new as it presents today in 670h light ivory paint with an ever-desirable 250 cognac leather adorning the interior. A burled walnut wood dash compliments the cognac leather perfectly while the car was fitted from new with desirable features such as a center console floor shift 4-speed automatic transmission along with factory-installed Behr air conditioning and power windows creating the ultimate combination of care-free luxury implements. Further notable details include the car being delivered new with instruments in English as a USA version, installation of a Becker radio, an automatic antenna, outside rearview mirror on the left, tinted windows and a soft top in 746 dark brown fabric.
Chassis 003064 was purchased new in 1971 by Eleanor Alberta Festa of Glen Cove, New York. Ms. Festa would go on to own this superb original, low mileage 3.5 cabriolet for the rest of her life, with the Mercedes existing a total of 46 years under her care. During Eleanor Festa’s ownership, an exhaustive history file was accumulated featuring dozens and dozens of servicing invoices dating back to the early 1970’s with continuing records in the file highlighting consistent upkeep over the course of her near half-century long ownership tenure. So attentive and consistent was Eleanor’s care of this special 280SE 3.5 Cab that the car today retains its factory installed 250 Cognac leather interior still in a wonderfully patina’d, all original condition. Under Eleanor’s ownership, the car was repainted once in its original 670H light ivory paint color.
In September of 2017, the current owner, an avid collector of original condition German classics from New York State, purchased chassis 003064 from the estate of Eleanor Festa. Since purchasing the car, the current owner has added roughly 4,000 miles of use, bringing the total original mileage of the car to 59,065 miles. Regular servicing under the current ownership has been part of this special 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet’s continuous regimen of care since the car was purchased new by Eleanor Festa nearly 53 years ago.
Worthy of further note, beyond the authentic cosmetics of the car, is the exceptional driving capability displayed by this particularly well-sorted and continuously cared-for low mileage example. The consistent mechanical servicing received by this Mercedes-Benz since it was purchased new in 1971 pays dividends in how the car performs today. Particularly noticeable is the steering of the car which lends a precise feeling of control while behind the wheel, adding to the overall experience of driving a 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet as it would have performed when fresh to market in the early 70’s. The low mileage drive train of chassis 003064 exudes the level of power expected from the 8-cylinder 3.5 liter engine installed in the car with cold starting highway driving at speed functioning as when new.
Visually, the long-ago-applied paint in its elegant, as-delivered, factory shade of 670H ivory paint is in a lovely, well patina’d condition that remains stable and stands as a fine complement to the charm of the original 250 cognac leather. The burled walnut wood is in an excellent condition throughout with no veneer missing and only minor wear noticeable throughout, appearing in general as a fitting match to the beautiful original leather. The convertible top has been expertly redone in correct, as delivered dark brown canvas material while the leather tonneau that covers the top while it is retracted has been redone to match the interior as the original tonneau had dried and would no longer fit the car.
The engine bay cosmetics are correct for the model with appropriate sheens and finishes present, showcasing a well-serviced mechanical 3.5 engine with hints of well cared for, clean patina similar to that given off by the original interior. The car retains all of its original tags in addition to its factory installed original engine and transmission.The undercarriage of the car remains in a nearly all original condition displaying original factory witness check marks as well as hints of factory applied original cosmoline protective coatings on the floors with zero rust present and no accident damage apparent.
Since arriving at Scott Grundfor Company, 280SE 3.5 chassis 003064 has been test driven and sorted with an emphasis placed on fine-tuning the creature comforts of this superbly original Mercedes classic; so that the relaxation and comfort of the driving experience mirrors the mechanical precision of the drive train. This car has been fully serviced by Scott Grundfor Company while the braking system has been thoroughly inspected and subsequently fine tuned since test driving was completed to insure no brake pulling is present. Very few W111’s drive as well as the example offered here, largely in part from a life of consistent maintenance with no prolonged periods of extended lapses in exercise. This 3.5 Cabriolet is the perfect blend of low overall mileage combined with consistent use.
Superbly documented with only two owners from new and desirably equipped as a 4-speed automatic floor shift example with Behr air conditioning and power windows, this 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet retains its beautifully patina’d original Cognac leather interior and has been expertly sorted for precise, daily use. Ready-for-show in preservation classes and primed for regular outings on the open roads, this excellent Mercedes-Benz classic would be difficult to replicate for its original qualities in appearance and use. Dressed elegantly in its original colors of Ivory over Cognac leather with burled walnut wood, this exceptional W111 convertible comes with an exhaustive service history file from its earliest days, original factory data card signed by the first owner, original factory aluminum data plate and all of its original books and tools.
