1971 280SE 3.5 CABRIOLET-RESTORED BY RENOWN MARQUE SPECIALIST-KNOWN HISTORY!

Price: Ask a price!
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: 200-Series
SubModel: COMPREHENSIVE RESTORATION BY MARQUE SPECIALIST
Type: Convertible
Trim: 3.5 V8 CABRIOLET WITH 52K ORIG MILES
Year: 1971
Mileage: 52,700
VIN: 1102712004198
Color: Light Ivory
Engine size: 3.5 V8
Number of cylinders: 8
Power options: Air Conditioning
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: 2WD
Interior color: Red Leather
Options: Convertible, Leather Seats
Vehicle Title: Clear
Location: Santa Monica, California, United States

Description

West Coast Classics are proud to present an absolutely stunning and exceptional example of this 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet with reported to have 52K original miles and only 2 owners since new! The recipient of a comprehensive restoration with no expense spared by it's original Arizona state owner by the renown marque specialist Mark Passarelli in the early 2000's and always stored in climate controlled garages since new. The car was kept by the family of the car's original owner who died in 2005 until being sold to only it's second ever owner at the Bonham's classic car auction in Monterey, CA in 2016, a renown southern California collector.

The 280 SE 3.5 coupes and cabriolets were Mercedes-Benz' first V-8 powered sports cars. The combination of superb performance and elegant styling makes the 3.5 one of the most collectible and desirable car's in the world amongst classic car collectors and this is obviously especially true for Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts. With the same basic body as the 280 SE six cylinder, the eight cylinder offered a new interior which featured more wood and leather upholstery as standard. This was a low production car for its day with only 4,502 units produced (3,270 coupes and 1,232 cabriolets) during its only two years of production (11/1969-7/1971).
The car had been built in the spring of 1971 and dispatched from the factory in Stuttgart in June of 1971. The original factory 'Light Ivory' (Color Code 670) paint in exceptionally fine condition and the rare and highly desirable factory options include the original white steering wheel, original reupholstered leather seats in a striking red from their original blue color, original center console with floor shifter, original 'Becker Europa' radio, low grille, original tools, jack and owner's manuals and a copy of the original build sheet and original factory BEHR air conditioning; this stunning example would prove a worthy classic addition to any world class collection.
The car was originally purchased by Mr John C. Pritzlaff, Jr, a renown Arizona politician who served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 1963-69 before being appointed as the Ambassador to Malta by President Richard Nixon in 1969, a post he held for 3 years. It is believed that Ambassador Pritzlaff took delivery of the car from Mercedes-Benz Stuttgart whilst in Europe returning with the car to Arizona. In 1975 Mr Pritzlaff was appointed to the Arizona State Senate seat vacated by Sandra Day O'Connor upon her appointment to the Supreme Court. As previously stated, in the early 2000's Mr Prizlaff commissioned Mark Passarelli, a renown Mercedes marque specialist, who famously had restored the first steel bodied Gullwing to sell for more than $1M at auction, to undertake a comprehensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration of the car with no restriction as to time or budget and to do whatever was deemed to be required. The engine was completely refurbished, as was the chassis, suspension and interior which Mr Pritzlaff elected to be repholstered in striking red leather. This is a concourse level restoration of the highest quality as to be expected from Mark Passarelli.

The 280SE 3.5 W111 model was built for a period of less than two years, from November 1969 to July 1971 with very few models being sold in the U.S and carrying a whopping MSRP of $14,509.00 for a coupe, obviously even more for a Cabriolet, some forty-five years ago! Squarely placed in Rolls Royce Corniche territory, those who could afford the best were fortunate if they could even obtain a 3.5 from their local Mercedes Benz dealer, such was the exclusivity and demand of this amazing motorcar. Generously applied chrome fittings, combined with the finest natural materials available, provide an unmatched ambiance of luxury and wealth in its lavishly appointed interior, where fine ROSER leather, exquisite burl wood and chrome plated fittings abound, the standard of craftsmanship apparent everywhere on this car is nothing short of astonishing. The cost of restoration of one of these hand-built Mercedes has become almost prohibitively expensive.
In 1969, the 3.5-liter power plant introduced the engine of tomorrow for Mercedes. Highly advanced, Mercedes' first V-8 featured overhead camshafts, electronic fuel injection, and transistorized ignition. Output was rated at 200 DIN horsepower, good for a top speed of 127 mph and 0-60 times of 8.9 seconds and this particular car with only 52K original miles must drive virtually as well as the day it left the showroom floor over forty-five years ago!
This car must be seen to be believed and driven to be fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and no noticeable oil leaks and which sounds absolutely magnificent. The transmission shifts smoothly through all the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.

In summary, this must be one of the finest, to say nothing of one of the rarest example's left available, of the internationally highly collectible and legendary Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 V8 Cabriolets. A one owner car until 2016 and comprehensively restored by a renown marque specialist in the 2000's. Understood to have 52K original miles, 1 of only 1,232 ever built, you will look long and hard to find a finer example anywhere else.
For further information contact West Coast Classics through Ebay or on 310-399-3990 during regular California business hours.
WEST COAST CLASSICS, LLC Please note: TERMS OF SALE: YOU BID TO OWN: This vehicle is being sold by West Coast Classics, LLC; we are licensed and bonded vehicle dealers in the state of California. Please note that all vehicles sold to be registered in the state of California will be charged California sales tax on the final EBay sales price and any required government licensing, smog, documentation and registration fees. If leaving the state or country, the vehicle must be picked up by a professional licensed auto transportation company that can provide a bill of lading, otherwise California sales tax will be charged. (All licensed auto transport companies provide these). Any out of the state and international buyers will upon completion of the sale be sent by FEDEX the title and bill of sale for the vehicle and will be personally responsible for any sales tax and licensing and registration fees in their home state or province. All bids are legal and binding contracts to purchase the vehicle and by bidding you are hereby entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle and agreeing to accept and abide by these terms of sale: Mechanical inspections welcomed; if you wish to inspect the vehicle you must do so before bidding; upon request seller will be happy to deliver the vehicle to a local Santa Monica mechanic of your choice for your prepaid inspection before the reserve price is met. Once the reserve price is met this vehicle is to be considered sold in ‘as is, where is’ condition to the highest bidder with no guaranties or warranties implied or given. Please have all funds available before bidding as a $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required from the winning bidder within 48 hours (2 business days) of auction end; an immediate $500 non-refundable deposit is required through Ebay’s Paypal service to end the auction early if the "Buy it now" option is exercised and the balance in full is due within ten days of auction end in any case. In the case these terms of sale are not met seller reserves the right to either re-list the vehicle or offer the vehicle to the next highest bidder. Seller reserves the right to end the auction at any time before the reserve price is met. Payment by bank wire transfer, cash in person or cashiers check only. All inspections must be done prior to bidding. The non-refundable deposit in the amount of $1,000 is due within 48 hours of the auction end via bank wire transfer or cashier's check via overnight mail. The full payment must be completed within 10 days regardless of a pick up date. In the event the deposit is not posted within the required period of time, the vehicle will be offered for sale to the next subsequent high bidder or relisted for sale. This is to be considered an absolute sale and the buyer is required to comply with all of my conditions in these terms of sale. By placing a bid and winning the auction you hereby agree to abide completely with these terms of sale and the terms of sale are to be considered a legal and binding purchase agreement. Once again, please note that there are no inspections to be made after the auction ends - please be sure to complete any inspection before bidding. The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid at any time and to end the auction early for any reason. The seller makes every effort to describe in detail any known flaws in the vehicle and includes many detailed and recent photos of the vehicle. The mileage on the vehicle is correct at the time of listing but obviously subject to minor changes necessary to complete delivery of the vehicle to the buyer and test drives etc. Please note that all used vehicles, especially classic and older vehicles, are by definition unique and complex and their condition, for better or worse, must always be considered a subjective opinion to each individual. Therefore the seller shall not be responsible for the absolute correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no guaranties or warranty in connection therewith. Vehicles are sold with one master key unless otherwise stated. Vehicles are sold with handbooks and manuals only if stated in the advertisement. Buyer hereby acknowledges that any definition or terms relating to a "matching numbers" description of any car has been met and the buyer has inspected the car and is satisfied with the description prior to bidding or purchase. No allowance will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value of the vehicle before bidding and to bid based upon that judgment solely. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs whatsoever regardless of any oral or written statements about the vehicle. A documentation fee of $65, which is capped and regulated in California as opposed to some other states, is charged on each sale, which once established legally has to be charged equally on each sale, to cover any necessary costs related to FEDEX mailings and other professional documentation paperwork fees for processing documents to establish title and registration in order to complete the transfer of documents to the new registered owner. Good luck and thanks for your interest!

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