This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet comes finished in Black (040) over Cognac Leather (8006) and is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six mated to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels and was sold new by Ralph Bohlen Imports out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Factory equipment includes manual front/rear windows, manually-adjustable front seats, column shifter, a Becker Europa TR radio, front defrosters, two-speed windshield wipers, Kühlmeister climate control, an automatic antenna and four-wheel disc brakes. Now showing just over 95k miles (TMU), this 280SE Cabriolet is offered for sale by the selling party out of Ball Ground, Georgia with the original spare tire, jack, 1 key, and a clean Georgia title.
The exterior is finished in Black (040) with a black fabric soft top and chrome trim lining the bumpers, side sills and windshield frame along with dual chrome exhaust tips. The top shows clear plastic windows and was recovered years prior. Vertically-stacked quad headlights are mounted up front framing the pre-facelift high grille. Exterior equipment includes an automatic antenna, a driver-side door mirror and two-speed wipers with a windshield washer system. The seller reports that the car shows no signs of rust or prior damage with paintwork reportedly performed during a previous ownership. Pictures in the gallery show inside the wheel arches, trunk wells, and spare tire cavity have no rust. Some paint chips in the paint can be seen around the doors. Chrome bumpers and window sills show in excellent condition.
14” steel wheels wear paint-matched caps with chrome lips and come fitted with Hankook Optimo tires measuring 185/75. Date codes on the tires are from 2013. A full-size spare is mounted in the trunk along with the jack and a still supple rubber trunk mat. The 280SE features dual-wishbone front suspension with swing axle rear suspension and power-assisted disc brakes on all four corners. Zerk fittings are attached to a lot of the suspension components that allows the owner to grease and service allowed parts. The rear driver brake caliper has been replaced with a new ATE unit.
The cabin is upholstered in Cognac Leather (8006) with polished wood trim lining the dashboard and A-pillars. Both front seats offer manual adjustability fore and aft with reclining seat backs. The seats were said to have been reupholstered in the ‘90s with high quality GAHH leather mirroring factory materials. Interior appointments include heating and ventilation with a front defroster, Kühlmeister climate control which includes air conditioning that has been converted to R134a, manual crank windows, three point seatbelts, a twin folding center armrest, a lockable glove compartment, a dash-mounted VDO clock, and a Becker Europa TR radio.
The two-spoke black Bakelite 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 odometer shows just over 95k miles (TMU). The steering wheel exhibits no cracks and was replaced with a new unit a few years ago under the previous owner.
This W111 cabriolet is powered by the 2.8-liter M130 inline-six which is rated for 160 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a column-shifted four-speed automatic transmission. Fluids were done in 2022. Fuel is delivered via Bosch mechanical fuel injection and a newer distributor cap has been installed with ignition wires. The A/C has been converted to R134a.
This 280SE Cabriolet is said to have spent the majority of its life in Oklahoma before moving to Rhode Island for a few years then moved down south to Ball Ground, Georgia and has since been in a Mercedes-Benz centric collection since 2022. The car is said to have no prior accident or damage history. Frame rails and the detailed undersides are available below. This 280SE Cabriolet is now offered for sale by the private seller in Ball Ground, Georgia with a clean Georgia title.
The W111 cabriolet is a thing of beauty. You get a coach built interior with the highest quality woods and leathers paired with a silky smooth inline six gasoline powered M130 engine that was also used in a ton of Mercedes-Benz production cars. The good thing about these engines paired to these cars is that parts are available and they’re relatively simple powerplants to work on all while you get a boutique and highly luxurious cabin to sit in. It’s a win-win. The interiors on these are painfully expensive to sort – luckily this one has been gone through, so it won’t vampirically suck on your wallet. Underneath you won’t find any sort of complex suspension or tight wrenching quarters. It’s all very simple. This is a good thing. It makes these cars easy to be kept in drivable condition which means you get to enjoy them. And what a joy they are to drive! The top down motoring on a W111 makes it an unparalleled double-date night car. It’s as romantic as it looks. This 280SE cranks right up and wafts down the road with modern traffic with ease. The black on cognac is rich. The side profile is a slab with a subtle taper. The double stacked headlights scream ‘60s movie star. This example is just a delight and provides huge savings for 90% of the experience of a late model 3.5 M116 car.
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12 Comments
$125,499 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$124,999 bid placed by @Woofman
$120,500 bid placed by @CarCraze
$120,000 bid placed by @Woofman
$117,999 bid placed by @CarCraze
$117,499 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$116,999 bid placed by @CarCraze
$114,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$114,000 bid placed by @Pchampion
$113,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$112,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$112,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$110,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$110,000 bid placed by @Pchampion
$106,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$105,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$105,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$103,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$103,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$102,500 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$102,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$100,999 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$100,499 bid placed by @CarCraze
$99,999 bid placed by @Woofman
$95,000 bid placed by @Mercedesbarn
$89,000 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$88,000 bid placed by @CarCraze
$86,000 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$85,000 bid placed by @Woofman
Photos 122-129 show the top in it's latched position from all angles. It's in great shape!
Do you have any pics or videos of the top going up and down and of the top permanently onl
$80,000 bid placed by @Mercedesbarn
Good afternoon everyone, thank you for your patience with us on this auction. We've been working through some family-related work overseas and have missed the last couple comments. That said we've proud to offer this cabriolet. -It's an original cabrio, NOT a conversion. -We do not have the original compensator and we did not change it out- thanks for asking. -You should see most questions answered in the video made for the listing. @prodigalpetrolhead, thanks for taking the time!
For what it's worth I was able to see this car in person this past weekend for a client of mine. The video is definitely an accurate representation of this cab.
$75,000 bid placed by @Pchampion
$60,500 bid placed by @boggie26
Is this a conversion or original ?
Hello, Do you have the original type compensator for the rear suspension?
Are there any videos ?
Date of the tires please?
$60,000 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$56,000 bid placed by @DJMB_BKRPT
$55,000 bid placed by @Mercedesbarn
$50,000 bid placed by @Shyk1965
$35,000 bid placed by @Mercedesbarn
Boy what a car! Something tells me this will sell for more than I can afford, but I'm sure someone will love this car!
I just wanted to put a good word out to the seller and his W111. I had the honor of shooting and filming this car for this auction and the car presents wonderfully. I tried my hardest to represent it as it sits and she's just a lovely old bird. It drives even better and I would have taken off into the sunset with it if that didn't come with a grand theft auto charge! Seller is awesome and every interested party can bid with confidence on this one. Have fun with this one!
@Slade30306 We're more than happy to take the time and show the car. Please send us a private message and we'll reach out to schedule something with you. Thanks!
Hello, I am in Atlanta and would like to see the car in person. Would this be possible?
$25,000 bid placed by @paddlesUP