Euro 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 4-Speed
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1970
- Make: Mercedes-Benz
- Model: 280SE
- VIN: 11102610002640
- Mileage Shown: 31,490km (5-digit odometer)
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Medium Blue Metallic
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Willowbrook, IL 60527
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0056579
Introduced in 1969 as the final addition to the Mercedes-Benz W111 series, the 280SE 3.5 offered the highest engine displacement of any post-war Mercedes coupe yet with a new 3.5-liter M116 V8. This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Coupe is a European-market example finished in Medium Blue Metallic over Cognac leather upholstery. It features a 4-speed manual transmission, self-leveling rear suspension, power steering, optional rear speakers, a heater, a sunroof, and 14” Bundt alloy wheels. The car had been registered to three previous owners in Germany before it was imported to the U.S. in 2024. It was refreshed with new paint in 2015 and refurbished under the seller’s ownership in 2025 with a new valve cover gasket, spark plugs, a rebuilt alternator, new steering components, and a rebuilt ZF hydropneumatic compensator for the rear suspension. Accompanied by an owner’s manual, service records, and a copy of the data car, this 280 SE 3.5 Coupe is now being offered for auction out of Illinois.
Compared to earlier W111 models, the new 280SE 3.5 version was updated with a lower, wider "flachkühler" radiator grille. This Coupe was refinished in its factory color of Medium Blue Metallic (396) under previous ownership in 2015. The exterior features chrome bumpers and rocker trim, dual chrome mirrors, quad headlamps, front driving lights, a sunroof, front vent windows, a heated rear window, a fender-mounted antenna, dual exhaust tips, and silver 14” Bundt alloy wheels dressed in 205/70 Semperit Comfort-Life 2 tires. Noted imperfections include blemishes on the right rear bumper, a bend on the front right rocker panel trim, and paint bubbles next to the trunk handle. The adds that the electric sunroof requires some manual assistance to close. Detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin features Cognac leather upholstery, matching carpets, and burl wood veneers, which were refinished in 2012. Accessories include a black two-spoke steering wheel with a chrome horn ring, lap belts, manual roll-up widows, a heater, optional rear-mounted speakers, a Becker Mexico cassette radio, a dashboard-mounted clock, and analog VDO gauges. Some lifting is present on the wood trim toward the lower right corner of the windshield. The seller notes the five-digit odometer rolled over once before, and all gauges and accessories are fully functional.
Equipped with Bosch Jetronic fuel injection, the 3.5-liter M116 V8 engine delivers up to 200 HP and 211 lb.-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. The car features power steering, independent double-wishbone front suspension, and a rear single-joint swing axle with a self-leveling hydropneumatic spring. The seller notes several braking system components were replaced in 2019, along with the front wheel bearings. Work performed under their ownership in 2025 included replacing the valve cover gasket, spark plugs, battery, a rebuilt alternator, a new steering stabilizer, steering center link, tie rods, and a rebuilt hydropneumatic compensator.
This sale will include an owner’s manual, a data card copy, a spare tire, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “This here is a beautiful, mostly original condition, German delivered 280SE 3.5 Coupe. It is a very rare example, being a 4-speed coupe with a sunroof. There are said to be only 125 made according to this specification. Finished in the beautiful and also rare Medium blue metallic over cognac interior. The car has received a full repaint, otherwise, it is in original condition. The exterior was repainted, and the paint is in beautiful condition. The brightwork throughout the car is in exceptional shape as well. The original interior has aged gracefully and wears its patina elegantly. The engine is original and numbers matching. Longtime owned by the 2nd owner in Germany since 1978, it was imported to the US in 2024. This car includes its original German registration booklet as well.”
Comments (4)
What is the general condition of the paint? Fair, good , show or otherwise
Welcome everyone to the auction of this beautiful and rare German delivery, numbers matching, 280se coupe!
The story with this car is I assisted a family friend in acquiring this car as I have contacts in Europe to aid in importing. Once we found this car he knew it was the one. the color combo, the sunroof coupe, and the 4 speed manual. But unfortunately due to health related issues he was only able to enjoy it for a little while, so here we are.
Upon receiving the car to my shop I addressed the things that stuck out to me as needing to be replaced i.e the maintenance listed, with the big one being the rear compensator.
This is truly a beautiful example. German delivered and in a prominent collectors private collection since 1978 as the original registration papers show. This car is numbers matching engine and drivetrain, all original except the repaint in 2015 to get it to a tip top showroom condition. The interior is all original and as stated in an earlier comment, it has aged gracefully. There is a lot of wonderful character to this survivor 280se.
Getting it on the road this car is an absolute pleasure to drive. It is immensely comfortable, smooth, and gives you all the right sensations of a vintage Merc. The engine purrs and has plenty of power. It actually surprised me but this V8 moves the car very well! The gearbox shifts fantastic and it is truly enjoyable to row through the gears. Suspension and brakes feel great. And the many compliments it receives are always nice!
I welcome any comments or questions and will answer to the best of my ability. If anyone would like to come see the car in person I am more than happy to show the car here at my shop in the Chicago suburbs.
Bid in the amount of $17,777
Bid in the amount of $10,000