This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 cabriolet is one of approximately 1,230 examples produced between 1969 and 1971, and the selling dealer tells us it was refurbished under previous ownership by Precision Autoworks in Camden, New Jersey. Finished in blue over Parchment leather upholstery, the car is powered by a 3.5-liter V8 paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a replacement blue convertible top, 14″ steel wheels with covers, disc brakes, US-specification headlights, three-point seat belts, power windows, a Becker Europa stereo, and air conditioning. Over $27k of work completed by OldTimer Restoration Center in Harvard, Massachusetts, in 2017 included resealing the power steering pump, re-coring the radiator, rebuilding the driveshaft, and replacing the water pump, thermostat, rear axle, air conditioning compressor, driveline mounts, exhaust system, and assorted suspension and braking components. Acquired by the current owner in 2024, this W111 cabriolet is now offered on dealer consignment with service records, a set of Coco floor mats, and an Illinois title.
The car was finished in Medium Blue (350) from the factory and was refinished under previous ownership. Equipment includes a replacement blue soft top, a top boot, front vent windows, US-specification headlights, a “low-style” grille, and chrome bumpers. In 2017, the left vent window assembly was adjusted, and a replacement windshield washer fluid bottle, washer pump bulb, and left window regulator bushings were installed. The image above, and the majority of the gallery photos were taken in May 2025.
The 14″ steel wheels feature bright-finished covers with color-matched centers and are mounted with 205/75 Hankook Optimo H724 thin-whitewall tires. The suspension includes an independent double-wishbone front setup with coil springs along with a rear single-joint swing axle. The power steering pump was resealed and the front anti-sway bar bushings, rear anti-sway bar mounts, rear shocks, trailing arm bushings, upper and lower trunnions, kingpins, and the front and rear brake pads and rotors were replaced in 2017. A four-wheel alignment was performed at that time.
The cabin features individual front seats and a rear bench upholstered in Parchment leather, and wood trim accents the dashboard and A-pillars. Appointments include three-point seat belts, power windows, a dashboard-mounted clock, a Becker Europa stereo, air conditioning, and Coco floor mats.
A two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and fronts a 160-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, and auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 9k miles, which is said to represent the mileage added since the refurbishment.
The 3.5-liter M116 V8 is said to have been overhauled under previous ownership, and it features Bosch Jetronic fuel injection. An invoice in the gallery below indicates that work in 2017 consisted of re-coring the radiator and replacing the water pump, thermostat, air conditioning compressor, and engine mounts.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Work performed in 2017 included the installation of a donor rear axle assembly, rebuilding the driveshaft, and replacing the rear axle enter pivot boot, rear subframe top mount, transmission cooler hoses, transmission mounts, and exhaust components.
The data plate is secured to the front crossmember with screws, and decoding the option codes reveals the following information:
- 350 – Medium Blue paint
- 491 – U.S. version
- 503 – Outside rearview mirror, on the left
- 513 – Becker radio Europa
- 531 – Automatic antenna
- 586 – Behr air conditioner and electric window lifters
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