1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet

This uncommonly original 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet was first sold to Charles Freehill of Arizona, just as it appears today, in stylish Tobacco Brown (DB 423) with a Cognac leather interior. In 1974, Dr. Alec Janes of Minneapolis, purchased the Cabriolet for the then-princely sum of $15,000, at which time it showed approximately 55,000 miles. Numerous receipts on file chronicle the doctor’s dutiful maintenance of the 280 SE through 1987, when it was apparently placed into long-term storage.

In the late 2000s, the consignor contacted noted Mercedes-Benz expert and SL Market Letter publisher John Olson, asking him to watch for a 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet in particularly good condition to enjoy in California. Mr. Olson soon located Dr. Janes’ car and arranged the purchase. Before shipping it west, the Cabriolet underwent a major, photo-documented mechanical restoration, including engine and suspension rebuilds. An extensive accompanying history file details the work, while the car’s lightly patinated cosmetics were preserved. The Cabriolet has since remained in service as a weekend treat in the picturesque San Francisco Bay area. Accompanied by its folio of manuals, tool roll, and records dating to the mid-1970s, this well-preserved 280 SE proudly reflects the attentive care of its three owners. Among the most refined automobiles of its time, the 3.5 Cabriolet has become one of the most enjoyable modern classics for today’s roads.