In August 1969 Mercedes-Benz unveiled this, the Paul Bracq-designed, 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, powered by its latest and greatest, all-new M116 3,499 cc V8 engine.
This was the first post-War Mercedes-Benz of more than 3-litres. The new engine was incredibly smooth, but also offered fantastic sports car performance. The exterior of the new models were also slightly updated, with the radiator grille larger and wider with a flatter bonnet. Today, this radiator design is well known as the ‘flat radiator’, which is still used by Mercedes-Benz.
This was to be the last truly hand-built Mercedes-Benz, and as a result, these luxurious convertibles took roughly four times longer to produce than an average Mercedes-Benz. The workmanship was exceptional, but the price did reflect this additional care and attention to detail. As an example, a 1970 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet Automatic, such as the car offered here, cost DM 37,351.50, compared to the 280 SL Pagoda for DM 26,640. This made the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet not only one of the fastest and most interesting, but also one of the rarest and most expensive Mercedes-Benz of its era.
Mercedes-Benz built only 1,232 examples of this, the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, largely thanks to its high manufacturing costs. This is a car that hails from the great tradition of German craftsmanship, all mated to a fantastic V8 engine.
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