Introduced in 1959, Mercedes-Benz’s W111 platform was nothing less than a benchmark of its time: an unmistakable signal of Mercedes-Benz’s reemergence as Europe’s preeminent manufacturer of fine automobiles. Engineered to an exacting standard and styled with graceful modernity by design genius Paul Bracq, the W111 combined restraint and elegance with genuine technological ambition.

That model line reached its most refined and exclusive expression in the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, assembled in Stuttgart between 1969 and 1971. This final iteration elevated the W111 to its apex – both in mechanical sophistication and old-world craftsmanship. Its stately silhouette remained fundamentally Bracq’s, but beneath the surface lay the new M116 V-8 engine, a 3.5-liter unit marking Mercedes-Benz’s entry into mass-market, eight-cylinder power. Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and refined by Bosch’s trailblazing D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, the 3.5 was both swift and supremely civilized. Just 1,232 cabriolets were built, each painstakingly hand built at a rate of fewer than two per week to standards befitting the model’s not-insubstantial price.

This stunning 3.5 Cabriolet was sold new to Terry Thornton of Palm Springs, California, in February 1971, as documented in its stamped original service book, which also chronicles its early service history at dealers in Hollywood and Riverside. The Mercedes-Benz eventually made its way to the Midwest, where it joined the collection of Bill Wirtz, a friend of noted collector Bill Jacobs and the owner of the Chicago Blackhawks. The consignor, a collector of some of the most significant automobiles in the world, acquired this 3.5 Cabriolet about 11 years ago and it has benefited from over $27,000 in documented work since 2019, including the installation of new speakers and a Becker Europa radio with Bluetooth capability. A testament to its careful ownership, the Cabriolet even retains its original owner’s manual, metal warranty plate, and stamped service booklet, and the consignor believes some of the interior upholstery is original as well.

Today, the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet is widely regarded as one of the most collectible Mercedes-Benz models of the postwar era. Its appeal lies not only in its beauty and exceptional build quality but in its unique position at the crossroads of tradition and progress: the end of hand assembly, the beginning of V-8 power, and a design that has only grown more compelling with time. Few cars offer such a satisfying blend of tactile quality and everyday driveability, with true four-passenger capability. For collectors seeking a true grand touring cabriolet – one with pedigree, presence, and the unmistakable aura of classic Mercedes-Benz excellence – this car offers an exceptional opportunity.