For Sale 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet

White Over Double Green

The Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 was considered by most observers in the early 1970’s as the finest car in the world. In addition to modern amenities such as air conditioning, power windows and 4-speed automatic shifting, the Cabriolet version of the car allowed for top-down cruising combined with a powerful 3.5 liter V8 engine that gave those lucky enough to pilot one effortless highway speed cruising in between neighborhood joy-riding. This combination of luxurious comfort and well established Mercedes-Benz engineering prowess, along with high performance mechanical specifications made the ‘3.5 Cab’ the most expensive and desirable cruiser money could buy at the Mercedes dealership in period.

Today, the 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet is both a sought after collection piece for the Mercedes-Benz aficionado as well as the ultimate classic experience in power-driven luxury cruising with the top down. The 3.5 Cabriolet has long been considered a car that bridges the gap between the classic and modern eras; generally speaking, it is one of the most widely desired cars built since the inception of Mercedes-Benz, with ease of use, comfort and elegant looks rolled into a 5-passenger luxury ride.

As one of only 1,232 examples built, and one of just 802 designated for eventual import into the United States, this 3.5 Cabriolet was picked up by its first owner on October, 5th 1970 from the Mercedes-Benz factory in Stuttgart as part of the end user savings program offered by US dealers designated as “European Delivery” pickup. This sophisticated example of the W111 convertible, with colors specified by the wife of the original owner, was dressed new as it is today in 050 white paint over very rare 244 green Roser leather with a matching 747 green fabric soft top. The dash of the car was supplied with burled walnut wood and was fitted from new with desirable features such as a 4-speed automatic transmission, power windows and factory-installed Behr air conditioning for the ultimate combination of care-free luxury implements. Further, the car came with instruments in English as a USA version, an outside rearview mirror on the left, Becker Europa II Stereo, automatic antenna and tinted windows.

According to original documentation accompanying the car, chassis 002577 was purchased new and picked up at the Mercedes-Benz factory in Germany by Dr. Austin F. O’Malley of Centerville, Massachusetts. The O’Malley’s used the car mostly on the weekends during the summer months while visiting their vacation home on the Cape Cod Peninsula and would go on to own the car for the next 32 years. In 2003, with 63,217 original miles noted on the odometer, Retired Colonels Steve and Jeanne Brooks of Alexandria Virginia became the second private owners of this impressively maintained, very original 3.5 Cabriolet. The Brooks’ meticulously preserved the car during their stewardship, repairing and replacing mechanical and trim components as needed while tending to many smaller details most would otherwise ignore. In 2015, well known Mercedes-Benz W111 3.5 Cabriolet guru Jim Cosgrove of Oldtimer Restorations in Harvard, Massachusetts spent many hours extensively going through the fine details of the chassis and engine of the car, upping the ante of quality where required. 

Worthy of note as an expression of the unrelenting care that this 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet has received since it was purchased new, this supremely genuine example still carries with it much of its original factory applied 050 white paint as well as the majority of its original 244 green Roser leather interior including the carpets. As further testament to its authentic original condition, this Mercedes-Benz classic received a Senior National AACA award in October of 2018 at the well respected Hershey show in Pennsylvania. In 2021, the car’s current and most recent private owner, hailing from Los Angeles, purchased the car with 69,000 original miles on it and has driven it only several thousand relaxed miles since. 

The record keeping in this W111 Cabriolet’s history file is another noteworthy facet of the cars appeal. Within the file are service records from all ownership tenures which show a long history of care entrusted to only the finest US based marque specialists in addition to Mercedes-Benz itself. This German classic retains its original books and book pouch, original pink data card noting all original specifications as delivered new, original factory issued service booklet with entries beginning in late 1970, factory spare wheel and jack as well as original tools.  

Presenting today in beautiful unrestored condition in the its unique original colors of 050 white paint over an 244 green Roser leather with a matching 747 green top, this limited production 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet offers modern luxury in an iconic classic model with 4 speed automatic shifting, power windows and Behr air conditioning, all ex-factory. Powerful and precise, the 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet model has become famous in collector circles for its ability to bridge the gap between classic and modern and for its 5-passenger comfort paired to ample power under the hood for highway and around-town cruising. Suitable for preservation showing because of its impressive original surfaces, this fine Mercedes-Benz is ready for new adventures under new ownership on the open roads.