1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet For Sale in Scotts Valley , 2146378535 Tweet

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet VIN: 111027-12-0011533 Arguably the finest 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet in existence Wonderfully preserved, highly original and never restored, with original paint and interior Only 20,246 miles from new Matching numbers engine, transmission, and bodywork Desirable Mercedes-Benz 3.5L V8 engine Ultimate combination of options - floor-shift automatic transmission, electric windows, Behr air conditioning Previously owned by noted Mercedes-Benz collector Karl Keller from 1987 to 2003 Featured in Henry Rasmussens Mercedes For The Road: The Survivors Series Special items that are passed down for generations usually have a unique reason that makes them cherished from the first day that theyre owned. Oftentimes in the collector car world, many people refer to themselves as caretakers instead of owners, understanding that they are keeping their prized possession in the same loved condition as before them, realizing that eventually they will part with it. This sense of greater purpose for the item, along with careful use and preservation with the understanding of keeping it for future generations, can lead to some of the finest examples of original vehicles. This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet is an example of different caretakers taking care of the car for its entire life, resulting in quite possibly the finest original examples in existence. According to Mercedes-Benz information, chassis 001533, was originally finished exactly as the car sits today. Painted in Midnight Blue (DB 904) with a parchment leather interior (DB 255), paired with a matching dark blue soft top. Equipped for the U.S. market, the Mercedes was fitted with a Becker Europa stereo, floor-shift automatic transmission, Behr air conditioning, white wall tires, including Mercedes-Benzs 3.5L V8 engine. These options represent the ultimate specification 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, and therefore one of the finest Mercedes-Benzes, or motorcars in general, that one could purchase in 1971. Acquired new from a dealership in Colorado Springs, Colorado by Majorie and Daniel OConnell, the couple collected their new Mercedes-Benz personally and drove it straight home to Tucson, Arizona, with an overnight stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico. With its first caretakers, the car remained entirely in the dry and forgiving climate of Arizona, spending its time being driven between Tucson, Phoenix, and Novales, and occasionally as far West as Las Vegas. The 280s accompanying history file and documents chronicles its upkeep throughout the OConnells ownership in the 1970s with Silver Star Motors and Bill Edel Motors, Mercedes-Benz specialists located in Tucson, illustrating regular and careful maintenance throughout their stewardship. In 1987, the 280 SE 3.5 was sold to Karl Keller, becoming Mercedes-Benzs second caretaker. By the time Keller acquired the car it had accrued almost 16,000 miles in the OConnells ownership, accounting for the vast majority of the cars current total mileage. Keller was well known for his collection of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, particularly of low-mileage, original cars. Sitting in his garage alongside the original 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet was an incredibly original 540 K Cabriolet, a long-tail, high-door 540 K Special Roadster, and a 300SL Gullwing and Roadster. While in Kellers care, the 280 SE 3.5 was featured in Henry Rasmussens book Mercedes for the Road: The Survivors Series. By the time the book was published, the car had only been driven 16,000 miles from new, and it was noted that Keller was assured by the OConnells that the roof had never been down in their entire ownership! Listed by chassis number, the book states that the car is certainly one of the most pristine to be found anywhere. The 280 SE 3.5s next care