This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet is being relisted after the previous sale wasn't completed through no fault of the car or seller. This cabriolet is 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.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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9 Comments
That was a good battle. Thanks for everyone participating. We were close to reserve but didn't quite hit it.
I cant tell - did this car sell?
$132,000 bid placed by @PNolasco
$131,000 bid placed by @PaulLangford
$130,500 bid placed by @PNolasco
$130,000 bid placed by @Woofman
$128,000 bid placed by @PNolasco
$127,000 bid placed by @Woofman
$125,000 bid placed by @Karam
$122,000 bid placed by @Woofman
$121,000 bid placed by @PaulLangford
$120,000 bid placed by @Woofman
$117,500 bid placed by @Karam
$117,000 bid placed by @PNolasco
Like what The MB Market said in the insights, these inline six cars are most of the experience and looks of the coveted 3.5 that go for more than double. These seem like deals to me. Plus I like these M130 power plants. While smooth, you can hear that '60s sports car rasp when they get on cam that's so attractive.
$115,000 bid placed by @Karam
$112,000 bid placed by @PNolasco
$110,000 bid placed by @Karam
$103,500 bid placed by @Ruel831
$103,000 bid placed by @Woofman
$101,200 bid placed by @Ruel831
$100,000 bid placed by @PaulLangford
$93,000 bid placed by @Aventura_Motors
$90,500 bid placed by @phcook
$90,000 bid placed by @PNolasco
$85,000 bid placed by @phcook
$84,500 bid placed by @Aventura_Motors
$84,000 bid placed by @phcook
$82,500 bid placed by @sjag
With 30 minutes left, I'll be on stand by! I should clarify since I've gotten some PMs about the previous auction of the car: it was not a condition or misrepresentation reason as to why the sale fell through, so do not fret about something weird being wrong with the car. It was just personal factors that effected the previous listing from the buyer who we are in good standing with still. With that clarified, I really hope to be chatting with a winner today. The seller's restoration shop in Germany did one helluva job going through this car. He is an open wallet collector with his classic Mercedes-Benz. -Excellent paint in the original color -Really well done interior restoration using OE leathers and carpets. -The M130 is healthy. No blue or white smoke on start up. Cranks noticeably quickly when cold. -Transmission shifts fast and smoothly Happy bidding and good luck.
$81,500 bid placed by @phcook
$81,000 bid placed by @Aventura_Motors
$80,500 bid placed by @phcook
As we enter the final hours of the auction, I’m available for any last minute questions or phone calls. Good luck everyone and happy bidding!
$80,000 bid placed by @PaulLangford
$75,000 bid placed by @phcook
$74,500 bid placed by @Aventura_Motors
$74,000 bid placed by @phcook
$70,280 bid placed by @sjag
$69,780 bid placed by @phcook
$69,280 bid placed by @PaulLangford
@KJen08 The black paint makes the cognac interior pop. It’s such a warm, old school interior.
Black must be the best color on this big body cab. Absolutely stunning!
$40,000 bid placed by @WesT
$35,500 bid placed by @sjag
$35,000 bid placed by @phcook
$31,000 bid placed by @Op770
$30,500 bid placed by @phcook
$30,000 bid placed by @WesT
$1,969 bid placed by @Dhaliwal
Hey everyone! Some of you might think this car looks familiar and yes, it was listed a few months ago under the owner's personal account where the winner unfortunately (but gracefully) backed out -- which gives you guys a second chance to bid and win this spectacular W111 cabriolet. The car is unchanged and hasn't logged any miles since it was first listed. It has just been staged in the climate controlled storage facility in Ball Ground, Georgia. Please look through the gallery and watch the video I put together. I hope I answered most questions with the listing I put together and the concise writeup The MB Market put together for the vehicle. If you have any questions, hit me up with a private message. I'm also available for phone calls and the car is available for showings. I'll be here if you all need anything else. Thanks for looking and stopping by!
If I were a rich man
$250 bid placed by @beaver307