This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet has been single-family owned since new and comes with extensive records dating back to 1970. The car is believed to be largely original as it was purchased from the original owner by the selling dealer/collector earlier this year. The car has spent its life in the suburbs of Chicago up until the late ‘90s when it moved out West to live in California. Escaping the Los Angeles fires of early 2025, the car made its way into the seller’s hands and onto The MB Market. Finished in Dark Green (291) over Cognac Leather, power is provided by a 2.8-liter inline-six mated to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Presale maintenance includes a full tune up, new tires, new leather trim, new soft top and liner, matching suitcases, oil service, air filter and pipe boot, and windshield washer system revamp. Equipment includes power windows, manually-adjustable front seats, a Kuhlmeister air conditioner, a Becker Grand Prix radio, front defrosters, two-speed windshield wipers, an automatic antenna, and four-wheel disc brakes. With the odometer having rolled over, this 280SE Cabriolet is now showing just under 155k miles with extensive records since new. This one owner W111 Cabriolet is now offered with a full-size trunk mounted spare, complete trunk mounted leather luggage set, full service for the sale, service records dating back to 1970, a new soft top, and a clean California title.
The exterior is finished in Dark Green (291) and features chrome trim lining the bumpers, side sills, grille, and window frames along with dual chrome exhaust tips. Vertically-stacked quad headlights are mounted up front framing the high grille and park lamps. Exterior equipment includes an automatic antenna, a driver-side door mirror and two-speed wipers with a windshield washer system. The washer system has been serviced with a new washer reservoir and will include a NOS foot pump with the sale. The soft top and liner have just been replaced in preparation for the sale of the vehicle.
14” wheels wear paint-matched caps with chrome lips and come fitted with brand new
Travelstar UN106 tires measuring 195/75. A full-size spare is mounted in the trunk. The 280SE features dual-wishbone front suspension with swing axle rear suspension and power-assisted disc brakes on all four corners.
The cabin is upholstered in Cognac Leather with matching doors and carpets throughout. Polished wood trim lines the dashboard and A-pillars. Both front seats offer manual adjustability with reclining seat backs. Interior appointments include the original Becker Grand Prix radio, a front defroster, electric power windows, three point seatbelts, a folding center armrest, lockable glove compartment, dash-mounted clock, and Kuhlmeister air conditioning. New leather trim upholstery was installed in preparation for the sale. A complete luggage set is included in the trunk with plaid inserts and leather retaining straps. A spare tire cover is also included.
The two-spoke black steering wheel frames analog instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure and coolant temperature. The mechanical 5-digit odometer shows just under 54k miles. Records since new support the odometer has rolled over once and is a recorded 154k miles.
This W111 cabriolet is powered by a 2.8-liter M130 inline-six with electric fuel injection which is rated for 158 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a floor-shifted four-speed automatic transmission. The gallery shows R134a converted A/C and the seller completed a full tune up, oil service, and air filter with air boot pipe. Records are extensive and date back to 1970. The options on the radiator support plate include power steering. The rest of the options are as follows:
This 280SE Cabriolet was acquired by the selling dealer/collector in January 2025 from the original owner and has since been garage kept with services dating back to 1970. The car is said to have no prior accident or damage history and shows in original condition. This one-owner W111 Cabriolet is now offered with a full-size trunk mounted spare, full leather luggage set, a full service for the sale, service records dating back to 1970, a new soft top, and a clean California title.
Used as a summer car in Chicago through the first few decades of its life, it then moved to California where the experience of this 280SE Cabriolet must’ve peaked as these cars are built for this region in the United States. There is no better car for the job of cruising Southern California than a W111. The Dark Green paint is a beautiful color when paired with a Cognac leather interior – a color combo that’s in vogue right now with collectors worldwide. The complete luggage set in the trunk adds huge value, as do the service records dating back to 1970. With 154k miles on the clock and the car represented in this condition, it is proof that the original owner loved this car to death and took care of it as more than just a car, but an extension of himself and member of the family. With a full service and logged seat time, this car is going to be one to remember. It’s in such a sweet spot as far as being a collector but also one you can log miles on reliably. Having escaped the devastating fires from earlier this year, this is a phoenix that’s risen from the ashes and yearns for the next steward to actually load up those luggage cases with clothes, grab a significant other, buy some paper maps, throw your cell phone out the window, and take this on a West Coast road trip. There’s no other option. This green over tan, one-owner W111 cabriolet is calling your name.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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17 Comments
@Boatymcboatface Thank youReally well done here. Great presentation. Hope it does well.Additional photos have been added to the gallery.@Rickster28 I honestly didn’t pay attention to it , good eye, if you purchase the car I will make sure it’s replaced for you@NYCdriver thank youJust wanted to pop in and say what a beautiful car this is. Good luck with the auction @seller!The aftermarket w/s wiper blades look horrible. How did that get overlooked?$65,000 bid placed by @phcook
Additional photos of the floors under the carpets have been added to the gallery.$60,000 bid placed by @BILLMSMITH
@Vander I’m adding the floor pictures you asked for@Vander I will be taking pictures for you soon for the floor , and also will take undercarriage pictures. And if anyone have the time to look over the very intensive record in the pictures above will know every little thing was done to the car all it’s life , starts from 1970 till know@squasher and yes the wipers work perfectly and park flat@squasher I believe all seals were replaced at some point, I didn’t replace any recently, the look and preform well.@Terra everything is original on the car, maintained very well as you see in it’s records , no rust what so ever and I will be taking those pictures for you todayGood morning to you all , I will be answering all your questions shortly after the morning coffee, lolDo the wipers park properly? Shouldn't they should lie flat when at rest? Have you replaced all the seals around the windows, including those sealing the contact area between the front and rear glass? These tend to decay over time and allow water to penetrate freely.Same questions as below from Terra, I want to know if the cylinder head has been rebuilt? Can we get photos of it on a lift showing the floors and metal?Can I assume that the drivetrain is original with neither the engine or transmission being rebuilt? Any compression numbers?