1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE (3.5 litre, V8) Cabriolet

For sale by auction on Saturday 30 November 2013 with Historics at Brooklands. Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit. Weybridge. Surrey. Call 01753 639170
In the summer of 1965. Mercedes-Benz launched its new
replacements for both W111 and W112 saloons. the W108 and W109
respectively. In a bizarre twist of fate. this car's design was
based on the W111 coupé but widened and squared off. as the fin
tail fashion was quickly eroding by the mid-1960's. However both
W111/W112 models were modernised; the 220SE was superseded by the
250SE which featured the new 2496cc. M129 engine. producing
150 horsepower at 5500rpm which gave it a significant
improvement in top speed. Visibly the changes only affected the new
14" rims with new hub cabs; this was to accommodate the larger disk
brakes and the new rear axle. In November 1967. the 250SE was
superseded by the new 280SE. The new M130 engine had 2778cc volume
and output 160hp at 5500rpm. Top speed of 120mph was hardly
affected; the acceleration though improved to 10. 5
seconds. Inside. the car received wood veneer on the
dashboard and other minor changes. The 300SE. based on early 1950's
M189. was also retired. The modern 280SE could outperform the 300SE
despite the smaller engine. A final model was added in August 1969. br/>the 280SE 3. 5 litre. It was fitted with the brand-new M116 3499cc. br/>V8 engine with 200hp at 5800rpm and a top speed of 130mph. To
accommodate the large engine. the car's front grill was
widened and front bumpers were modified and it soon became an
important car for collectors and a masterclass in understated
elegance and simplicity of line.

Even by today's standards. this car provides comfort. class and
capable precision driving from the surprisingly spritely automatic
gearbox that propels the car forwards. It was expertly converted
from a genuine. German supplied. 3. 5 litre coupé to
its current convertible configuration to exacting standards by a
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician. The paintwork. finished in
black. is in excellent condition throughout and matches the black
leather interior and black mohair soft-top. Subject to a
restoration just 12. 00 miles ago. it
was painted and received new chromework. wood and
interior trim. This extremely stylish example also benefits from an
upgraded electric soft top. factory air-conditioning. br/>electric windows and an automatic gearbox and has
recently been mechanically re-commissioned to the tune
of approximately £7. 00 by marque specialist. Steve
Redfearn. in London.

FYY 573H also appeared in a recent Classic & Sportscar
magazine feature. where they described it as being 'a few
points down from concourse' represent high praise indeed. They give
it a very high eight out of ten stars for value. It
is also worth noting that an original convertible in this
condition sells for circa £170. 00 and bearing this in mind. this
example is priced at a fraction of that cost. In the boot. a
tool roll with a set of tools can be found and the car comes
complete with an MoT test certificate valid until February. 2014.
Style certainly appears effortless given the build quality and
those elegant lines emanating back from the grill.

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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