Both the 3.5 Cabriolet and 600 SWB described in detail below are not only original, but are in virtually the same condition as the day they left the factory. Each car is also accompanied by the “Birth Certificates “issued by the Mercedes Benz factory in Germany.
The current owner has decided that “The Twins” will be sold only as a pair.
1971 Mercedes Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
This 1971 280SE 3.5 cabriolet was purchased new from the Mercedes Benz dealer in Colorado Springs, Co. in January, 1971 by a young lady who lived in Tucson, Az. She drove the Mercedes back to Arizona and kept a diary of her trip, which is still with the car. She also drove it to Las Vegas several times and documented those trips as well.
In 1978, the 3.5 Cabriolet was sold to Karl Keller, a well known Southern California collector of mint low mileage Mercedes vehicles. At the time the car was purchased by Keller it had just over 16,000 miles. Additionally his collection included an original low mileage 1937 540K Cabriolet; a 1955 300SL Gullwing, a 1962 300SL Roadster as well as a 1937 540K Mercedes Special Roadster.
This particular car was the featured 3.5 cabriolet in the 1983 book “Mercedes for the Road “by Henry Rasmussen. At the time the book was published, the car still had just over 16,000 miles on it. The car was acquired by its present owner in May of 2003 from Mr. Keller with just 16,500 miles! Under the careful conservator-ship of the current owner, the car now registers just over 19,000 original miles.
It is 100% original paint, leather, carpet, and chrome, in flawless condition. The outer top was replaced with the original German material and all seals on the doors and trunk were replaced. Mechanically, it has been fully sorted by the Mercedes Benz Classic Center in Irvine, Ca. to function as new. When this “Original” Mercedes 3.5 Cabriolet was shown in Concour d’Elegance competition it has taken first prize over 3.5 Cabriolets that were fully restored.
This is the desirable floor shift model with Air Conditioning, Power Steering, Windows and Brakes. It has all keys, books, tools, build cards, warranty plate and service history. It also has the original (unused) spare tire with the original hang tag still.
1972 Mercedes Benz 600
This 600 is a very late production 1972 short wheel base car and is matching in color to the 3.5 cabriolet. It was ordered new from the Mercedes Benz dealer in St. Louis, Missouri by Emil Hoechst, heir to the giant German Pharmaceutical company of the same name.
Mr. Hoechst insisted, upon arrival of the car to the dealer, that all of the original factory shipping wrappings including plastic seat covers, plastic over the door panels, taped thresholds, as well as all original carpeted mats, footrests, cigarette lighters, etc. remain on the car and in the trunk.
The 600 was acquired by Karl Keller within two weeks of his buying the 3.5 cabriolet. At the time of purchase by Mr. Keller in 1978, the car had travelled just over 2,000 miles. This car joined the 3.5 in storage and was acquired from Mr. Keller in August of 2005 by the same collector who purchased the 3.5 cabriolet two years prior. At the time it was removed from storage, the car was showing 2,283 miles on the odometer.
Before the current owner drove the 600 it was transported to Franz Stemple, a world renowned expert on the 600 and M100 engine. Mr. Stemple was the Mercedes 600 specialist who was sent by the Factory to troubleshoot these unique vehicles while under factory warranty.
Three years ago, the 600 was sent to the Classic Center in Irvine for a blank check sorting of all of the mechanical systems. Receipts totaling over $70,000 are on hand. The car currently has a little over 4,000 original miles. The car also has an extremely rare set of factory fitted luggage. Of course it has the factory sunroof too. All original books, build cards, keys and warranty data plate, tools and service history accompany this remarkable Mercedes. When the various tags and protective coverings for the seats, carpet, sills, foot rests and trunk were removed by the current owner in 2005 they were boxed and saved.
