One of the rarest Mercedes’ ever produced, a 1970 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet, will be offered in Silverstone Auctions’ sale at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show on the 15th of November. This car, estimated at between £200,000 and £250,000, is a right-hand drive floor mounted automatic, the rarest of all the variants and one of just 68 produced.
When the model was lanced in the early 1970s many people believed Mercedes had created the finest automobile in the world. For those who preferred the open air, and had the money to pay for it, there was no finer choice than the 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet. It featured a powerful 3.5-litre V8 and was the fastest, most sumptuous and most expensive convertible that money could buy at a Mercedes-Benz dealership.
Purchased by the current vendor in the UK 11 years ago it was then exported to Australia. Since then the car has lived a privileged existence. It was then entrusted to expert and marque restoration specialists Sleeping Beauties in Brisbane for what would be a five year, $200,000 plus restoration.
Commenting on the beautiful car, classic car specialist and general manager of Silverstone Auctions, Guy Lees-Milne, said: “This is a beautiful example of the car many regard as one of the finest in the world. Rarely do we see a car that has had this level of care and attention lavished on it.”
Following this restoration the car was scored at 95.5 out of 100 by the owner, who himself owns one of the world’s largest restoration companies. It was then sent it to his own facility for more extensive work with the instructions “make it as good if not better than the way it came from the factory”. The car is now presented in concours condition to match the best in the world.
“Not only is this a rare and expertly restored classic car but could prove a fantastic investment. Prices for the more abundant left-hand drive model have topped $425,000 recently,” Guy added.
For more details on the car or Silverstone Auctions’ two-day sale, taking place at the NEC, Birmingham, please visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1970-mercedes-280se-35-cabriolet-1-of-66-right-hand-drive.
