Restorations are pointless if you’ve kept something in great condition in the first place. So is the case with this 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet. Towards the end of the 10 year production run of the model, Mercedes-Benz built a wall batch of coupes and cabriolets that used the 3.5-litre v8 engine that would form the basis for Mercedes’ next generation of cars. This is one prime example of that small batch.

Opumo
  1. Velasca
    Green Montefalco Bomber Jacket
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  2. MYRQVIST
    Dark Snuff Suede Haga
    {"id":3,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null,"code":"default","name":"UK","currency_id":50,"hreflang":"en-GB","geo_name":"United Kingdom","geo_name_short":"UK","klevu_api_key":"klevu-160577257020312788"}
  3. MYRQVIST
    Beige Wool Scarf
    {"id":3,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null,"code":"default","name":"UK","currency_id":50,"hreflang":"en-GB","geo_name":"United Kingdom","geo_name_short":"UK","klevu_api_key":"klevu-160577257020312788"}
  4. LESTRANGE
    Navy Organic Cotton Sweatshirt
    {"id":3,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null,"code":"default","name":"UK","currency_id":50,"hreflang":"en-GB","geo_name":"United Kingdom","geo_name_short":"UK","klevu_api_key":"klevu-160577257020312788"}
  5. Floyd
    Floyd Gold Small Cabin Bag
    {"id":3,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null,"code":"default","name":"UK","currency_id":50,"hreflang":"en-GB","geo_name":"United Kingdom","geo_name_short":"UK","klevu_api_key":"klevu-160577257020312788"}
  6. MYRQVIST
    Green Suede Lysekil
    {"id":3,"created_at":null,"updated_at":null,"code":"default","name":"UK","currency_id":50,"hreflang":"en-GB","geo_name":"United Kingdom","geo_name_short":"UK","klevu_api_key":"klevu-160577257020312788"}

What’s even more rare about this car is that it’s largely in original condition. The green leather upholstery of the interior and the carpeting is unchanged. A few years ago the engine bay and chassis were finely detailed and in October of 2018 this Cabriolet earned AACA National Senior Award honours.

So, a largely unchanged, award-winning, limited run Mercedes-Benz is up for sale and you have the change of owning it, what are you waiting for?

For full auction information, head to the Gooding & Co website and be sure to follow them on Instagram, @Goodingandcompany, to keep up to date with all of their latest lots. 

All images copyright and courtesy of Gooding & Company.

Photos by Anna McGrath.

If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable classic, then check out this 1973 Ford Escort RS1600.

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